Car Comparison Project

Introduction : Systems of linear equations are a useful way to solve common problems in different
areas of life. One of the most powerful ways to use them is in a comparison model where two similar
situations are compared side by side to determine which one is better. In this project, you will be
choosing two of the same model cars as listed below (the regular version vs. its hybrid version) and
then using systems of linear equations to decide which one is the better buy for you. Make sure that
each are that you are comparing is new and from the same year.

Regular Hybrids

1) Toyota Camry Toyota Camry Hybrid

2) Honda Accord Honda Accord Hybrid
3) Ford Fusion Ford Fusion Hybrid
4) Hyundai Sonata Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
5) Toyota Rav 4 Toyota Rav 4 Hybrid

Car Comparison

Situation: Your job requires you to be on the road a lot and therefore your company will buy you a
vehicle. However, in order to buy the vehicle, you need to demonstrate to your company that you
have researched your options and are purchasing the most economical vehicle you can. You are trying
to decide between getting a hybrid or a regular car. The hybrids cost more upfront, but get better gas
mileage, so it will cost less to drive. Regular cars cost less upfront, but get worse gas mileage, so they
will cost more to drive.

What information do you need to determine if a regular or hybrid car will be better?

Assignment: You will collect information from the internet (price and monthly gas cost) for each car
you chose. Then you will create a system of linear equations for the two cars. You will create a graph
and solve algebraically to determine which car will be the better buy for you. Make sure to NEATLY
show all your work. (Refer to the Rubric on Canvas for th e point breakdown)
 Project Steps

Step 1: Research the cars on line. Name which set of cars you will be
comparing.

Regular: Hybrid:
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Cost($)
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Gas Mileage
(miles per gallon - city)
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figure out how many gallons of gas you will

Step 2: Calculate what your monthl y gas cost would be for each car. First,
need to buy each month for each car.

a) Assume gas prices are $2.75 per gallon

b) You will be driving 1,500 miles per month

Regular : Hybrid:

Show work here: Show work here:

Cost of Gas Each Month
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Step 3: Create the linear equatio n for each car, letting x represent
the number of months that you have driven the car
and y represe nt the total cost of the car to that month.

Regular: Hybrid:

Equatio n
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Step 4 : Use the equations you
created in Step 3 to solve the
system of linear equations by graphing
a. Go to www.geogebra.org using Geogebra.
then click on "start graphing"
b. Type in both equations.
c. Label both equations by clicking
on the 3 dots next to the equatio
one word to describe which car ns, then dick on "settings." Und
corresponds to that equation (i.e. er "Name" use
d. On right side of the page Accord or Hybrid)
click on the gear. Then click on
"zoom to fit." Optional: If you wan
more from there you can usin t to zoom it in a little
g the mousepad or the magnifyin
e. Click on the gear again and g glasses in bottom right.
then "settings." On "basic" tab
type in "number of months", und er axe s click "bold", on "x-axis" tab under
on "y-axis" tab under label type label
f. Save a screen shot of wh in "Total Cost" and under units sele
at you just created. (make sure ct the$.
to include the equations, both axe
intersection) Paste Geogebra s, and point of
graph below.
At what point do the graphs inte
rsect? (write as an ordered pai
r - Round each coordinate to nea
rest whole number)

My solution is:
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Step 5: Solve this System of Equations by SUBSTITUTION. Show your work!!! Write answer as an ordered pair.

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ork!!! Write answer as an ordered pair.

Step 7: Reflection

a) Did you get the same answers on Step 4, Step 5 and Step 6? Should you get the same answers? Why or why not?
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b) It will take about ] .S months (which is approximately (p,'L) years) for the hybrid car to becom~ h~--e,,
better deal.
c) State which car (hybrid or regular) you would pick and why- remember that this is going to be a company car
and you are deciding for the company, so make sure to support your answer well.

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