Theory question 106
Commercial ArithmeticIn a certain year, the consumption pattern of electricity charges in a town was as follows: the cost of the first 30 units was $1.00 per unit; the cost of the next 30 units was $7.00 per unit, the cost of each additional unit was $5.00. (a) If Amaka used 420 units of electricity in January that year, calculate the amount paid. (b) If Amaka paid $2,740.00 in the month of February, calculate the number of units of electricity consumed. (c) Find, correct to two decimal places, the percentage change in units of electricity consumed by Amaka in January and February.
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(a) 30 × $1 + 30 × $7 + 360 × $5 = 30 + 210 + 1800 = $2,040
(b) Extra = 2740 − 2040 = $700 ⇒ 700 ÷ 5 = 140 more units; units = 420 + 140 = 560
(c) (560 − 420)/420 × 100% ≈ 33.33% increase
Charge each block of units at its own rate.