Let's break down the equation [tex]\( y = 1.3x + 2 \)[/tex] to understand what each term represents:
1. Total Cost ([tex]\( y \)[/tex]): This is the total amount Cai has to pay for his taxi ride, including both the flat charge and the variable cost based on the miles traveled.
2. Variable Cost per Mile ([tex]\( 1.3x \)[/tex]): The term [tex]\( 1.3x \)[/tex] represents the cost that varies depending on the distance traveled, where [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is the number of miles. The coefficient 1.3 is the cost per mile.
3. Flat Charge ([tex]\( 2 \)[/tex]): This is a constant value added to the total cost irrespective of the distance traveled. It's the amount Cai has to pay just to order the taxi.
Given that 1.3 is multiplied by [tex]\( x \)[/tex], and [tex]\( x \)[/tex] represents the number of miles traveled, it is clear that:
- The number [tex]\( 1.3 \)[/tex] represents the cost per mile.
Therefore, the number [tex]\( 1.3 \)[/tex] in the equation [tex]\( y = 1.3x + 2 \)[/tex] represents how much the taxi costs per mile.
