Modeling Average Annual Cost with Rational Functions

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 106 views

Introduction

When purchasing a refrigerator, it's essential to consider the total cost of ownership, including the initial purchase price and the ongoing expenses such as maintenance and energy consumption. In this article, we will explore the concept of average annual cost and how it can be modeled using rational functions.

What is Average Annual Cost?

The average annual cost of a refrigerator is the total cost of owning the appliance over a specific period, divided by the number of years. This concept is crucial in understanding the long-term expenses associated with owning a refrigerator.

Modeling Average Annual Cost with Rational Functions

To model the average annual cost of a refrigerator using rational functions, we need to consider the initial purchase price and the ongoing expenses. Let's assume that the initial purchase price of the refrigerator is $850, and the annual maintenance cost is $62.

Option A: $f(x)=\frac{850+62x}{x}$

This option represents the total cost of owning the refrigerator over a period of $x$ years, including the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance costs. The rational function $f(x)=\frac{850+62x}{x}$ models the average annual cost of the refrigerator.

Option B: $f(x)=\frac{850+62x}{62}$

This option represents the total cost of owning the refrigerator over a period of $x$ years, including the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance costs. However, the rational function $f(x)=\frac{850+62x}{62}$ does not accurately model the average annual cost of the refrigerator.

Option C: $f(x)=\frac{850}{x}+62x$

This option represents the total cost of owning the refrigerator over a period of $x$ years, including the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance costs. However, the rational function $f(x)=\frac{850}{x}+62x$ does not accurately model the average annual cost of the refrigerator.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, the correct option that models the average annual cost of the refrigerator is Option A: $f(x)=\frac{850+62x}{x}$ . This rational function accurately represents the total cost of owning the refrigerator over a period of $x$ years, including the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance costs.

Why is Option A the Correct Choice?

Option A is the correct choice because it accurately models the average annual cost of the refrigerator. The rational function $f(x)=\frac{850+62x}{x}$ takes into account the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance costs, which are essential factors in determining the total cost of owning the refrigerator.

Limitations of the Other Options

The other options, Option B: $f(x)=\frac{850+62x}{62}$ and Option C: $f(x)=\frac{850}{x}+62x$ , do not accurately model the average annual cost of the refrigerator. These options either ignore the initial purchase price or the ongoing maintenance costs, which are crucial factors in determining the total cost of owning the refrigerator.

Real-World Applications

The concept of average annual cost is essential in various real-world applications, including:

Financial Planning: Understanding the average annual cost of a refrigerator can help individuals and businesses make informed decisions about their financial resources.
Energy Efficiency: The average annual cost of a refrigerator can be used to evaluate the energy efficiency of different models and make informed decisions about purchasing a new appliance.
Sustainability: The average annual cost of a refrigerator can be used to evaluate the sustainability of different models and make informed decisions about purchasing a new appliance.

Conclusion

Q: What is the average annual cost of a refrigerator?

A: The average annual cost of a refrigerator is the total cost of owning the appliance over a specific period, divided by the number of years.

Q: How is the average annual cost of a refrigerator calculated?

A: The average annual cost of a refrigerator is calculated by adding the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance costs, and then dividing the total by the number of years.

Q: What are the factors that affect the average annual cost of a refrigerator?

A: The factors that affect the average annual cost of a refrigerator include the initial purchase price, the ongoing maintenance costs, and the number of years the appliance is used.

Q: Why is it essential to consider the average annual cost of a refrigerator?

A: It is essential to consider the average annual cost of a refrigerator because it helps individuals and businesses make informed decisions about their financial resources and energy consumption.

Q: How can the average annual cost of a refrigerator be used in financial planning?

A: The average annual cost of a refrigerator can be used in financial planning to evaluate the total cost of ownership and make informed decisions about purchasing a new appliance.

Q: How can the average annual cost of a refrigerator be used in energy efficiency?

A: The average annual cost of a refrigerator can be used in energy efficiency to evaluate the energy consumption of different models and make informed decisions about purchasing a new appliance.

Q: How can the average annual cost of a refrigerator be used in sustainability?

A: The average annual cost of a refrigerator can be used in sustainability to evaluate the environmental impact of different models and make informed decisions about purchasing a new appliance.

Q: What are the benefits of using a rational function to model the average annual cost of a refrigerator?

A: The benefits of using a rational function to model the average annual cost of a refrigerator include:

Accurate representation: Rational functions accurately represent the total cost of ownership and the ongoing maintenance costs.
Easy to understand: Rational functions are easy to understand and interpret, making it simple to make informed decisions.
Flexible: Rational functions can be used to model different scenarios and variables, making it a versatile tool for analysis.

Q: What are the limitations of using a rational function to model the average annual cost of a refrigerator?

A: The limitations of using a rational function to model the average annual cost of a refrigerator include:

Assumptions: Rational functions are based on assumptions about the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance costs.
Simplifications: Rational functions simplify the complex relationships between variables, which may not accurately represent real-world scenarios.
Limited scope: Rational functions are limited to modeling specific scenarios and variables, which may not capture the full complexity of the problem.

Q: How can the average annual cost of a refrigerator be used in real-world applications?

A: The average annual cost of a refrigerator can be used in real-world applications such as:

Financial planning: Evaluating the total cost of ownership and making informed decisions about purchasing a new appliance.
Energy efficiency: Evaluating the energy consumption of different models and making informed decisions about purchasing a new appliance.
Sustainability: Evaluating the environmental impact of different models and making informed decisions about purchasing a new appliance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the average annual cost of a refrigerator is a crucial concept in understanding the total cost of ownership. The rational function $f(x)=\frac{850+62x}{x}$ accurately models the average annual cost of the refrigerator, taking into account the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance costs. This concept has various real-world applications, including financial planning, energy efficiency, and sustainability.