A company needs to package 2,400 pencils. A box in the shape of a rectangular prism can hold 60 pencils. A cylindrical container can hold 80 pencils. Each box costs the company $0.50, while each cylindrical container costs $0.75.Which packaging should the company use to minimize cost? Explain.
Answer
A
The rectangular prism boxes should be used because they will cost the company $2.50 less than using the cylindrical containers.
B
The cylindrical containers should be used because they will cost the company $2.50 less than using the rectangular boxes.
C
The rectangular prism boxes should be used because they will cost the company $5.00 less than using the cylindrical containers.
D
The cylindrical containers should be used because they will cost the company $5.00 less than using the rectangular boxes.
Explanation
The rectangular prism boxes needed are 2,400 ÷ 60 = 40, costing 40 × $0.50 = $20. The cylindrical containers needed are 2,400 ÷ 80 = 30, costing 30 × $0.75 = $22.50. The boxes cost $2.50 less, so the company should use rectangular prism boxes.
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