Need help with word problem

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tullockv

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I have the answer to the word problem, however, I want to know how to set it up and the formula for the problem.

A carpet company charges $75 to clean the first 200sqft of carpet. There is an additional charge of .25 per square foot for any footage that exceeds 200sq.ft. and $1.40 per step for any carpeting on a staircase. A customer's cleaning bill was $253.95. This included the cleaning of a staircase with 13 steps. In addition to the staircase, how many square feet of carpet did the customer have cleaned? answer is 843 sq. ft.
 
tullockv said:
I have the answer to the word problem, however, I want to know how to set it up and the formula for the problem.

A carpet company charges $75 to clean the first 200sqft of carpet. There is an additional charge of .25 per square foot for any footage that exceeds 200sq.ft. and $1.40 per step for any carpeting on a staircase. A customer's cleaning bill was $253.95. This included the cleaning of a staircase with 13 steps. In addition to the staircase, how many square feet of carpet did the customer have cleaned? answer is 843 sq. ft.
Click to expand...

Please share with us your work/thoughts so that we know where to begin.

Start with naming things:

Let

the square feet of carpet cleaned = C

No. of steps cleaned = S

Let the total bill = B

then write the equation according to:

A carpet company charges $75 to clean the first 200sqft of carpet. There is an additional charge of .25 per square foot for any footage that exceeds 200sq.ft. and $1.40 per step for any carpeting on a staircase

So

B = 75 + 0.25 * (???) + 1.40 * (???)

Now tell us what do you get....
 
253.95 - 13(1.40) [stairs] = 235.75
235.75 - 75.00 [1st 200sqft] = 160.75
@ .25 per sqft, 160.75 = ? sqft
 
I don't understand how does this problem work, what should be in the (???) area.
 
tullockv said:
I don't understand how does this problem work, what should be in the (???) area.
Click to expand...
Well, stay out of the carpet cleaning business then :idea:
 
so 643 and then add 200. But how is that written as an algebra problem where is the x at.
 
I am sorry, actually I am good at math, but I am horrible at word problems. Setting them up is difficult for me.
 
Be sure to start by naming things. In this case, since you are seeking the total number of square feet of carpeting that was cleaned, you can start with the statement...

Let x represent the total number of square feet of carpeting cleaned.
That leads to the statement "x-200 represents the number of square feet of carpeting in excess of 200."

You can use the idea that "cost of first 200 sq. ft. + cost of doing amount over 200 sq. ft. + cost of doing the stairs = Total cost ($253.95)" to build your equation.
 
A carpet company charges $75 to clean the first 200sqft of carpet. There is an additional charge of .25 per square foot for any footage that exceeds 200sq.ft. and $1.40 per step for any carpeting on a staircase. A customer's cleaning bill was $253.95. This included the cleaning of a staircase with 13 steps. In addition to the staircase, how many square feet of carpet did the customer have cleaned? answer is 843 sq. ft.

Please share with us your work/thoughts so that we know where to begin.

Start with naming things:

Let

the square feet of carpet cleaned = C

No. of steps cleaned = S

Let the total bill = B

then write the equation according to:

A carpet company charges $75 to clean the first 200sqft of carpet. There is an additional charge of .25 per square foot for any footage that exceeds 200sq.ft. and $1.40 per step for any carpeting on a staircase

So

253.95 = 75 + 0.25 * (C-200) + 1.40 * (13)

Now solve for 'C'
 
tullockv said:
I am sorry, actually I am good at math, but I am horrible at word problems. Setting them up is difficult for me.
Click to expand...

But "setting up" is the most important part of the mathematics - "plug & chug" can be done by computer.
 
Yes, I have seen some of the insert help websites. However, when I am in my class taking the test I forget what to look for and how to set them up. I even draw pictures and right each out. I have had extreme difficulties with word problems since middle school. I keep telling myself with practice eventually I will be good at it. Thank you sooooo very much for helping me --------> 8-) <----------you
 
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