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 the point breakdown)
 Project Steps
Step 1: ​Research the cars online. Name which set of cars you will be comparing.

Regular: Hybrid:
Give Make, Model and Give Make, Model and Style
Style
Toyota Rav4 2020 Hybrid
Toyota Rav4 2020 Compact Sport Utility
Compact Sport Utility
Cost ($) $25, 950 $28, 350
Gas Mileage 26 mpg 41 mpg
(miles per gallon-city)

Step 2: ​Calculate what your ​monthly gas cost ​would be for each car. First, figure out how
many gallons of gas you will 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:

Cost of Gas Each Month Show work here: Show work here:
1500mi ​* ​1 gal 1500mi​ * ​1 gal
1 26mi 1 41mi
1500gal​ = 57.7 gal. 1500gal​ = 36.6 gal.
26 41
57.7*2.75=$158.68 36.6*2.75=$100.65

Answer: $158.68 Answer: $100.65

Step 3: ​Create the linear equation for each car, letting ​x represent ​the number of months that
you have driven the car and ​y represent ​the total cost of the car to that month.

Regular: Hybrid:

Equation y = 158.68x + 25,950 y = 100.65x + 28,350

Step 4: ​Use the equations you created in Step 3 to solve the system of linear equations by
graphing using Geogebra.

a. Go to ​www.geogebra.org ​then click on “start graphing”

b. Type in both equations.
c. Label both equations by clicking on the 3 dots next to the equations, then click on
“settings.” Under “Name” use one word to describe which car corresponds to that
equation (i.e. Accord or Hybrid)
d. On right side of the page click on the gear. Then click on “zoom to fit.” Optional: If you
want to zoom it in a little more from there you can using the mousepad or the magnifying
glasses in bottom right.
e. Click on the gear again and then “settings.” On “basic” tab under axes click “bold”, on
“x-axis” tab under label type in “number of months”, on “y-axis” tab under label type in
“Total Cost” and under units select the $.
f. Save a screen shot of what you just created.
(make sure to include the equations, both axes, and point of intersection) ​Paste
Geogebra graph below​.

At what point do the graphs intersect? (​write as an ordered pair – Round each coordinate to
nearest whole number​)

My solution is: ​(41, 32,513)

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

y = 158.68x + 25,950
y = 100.65x + 28,350

158.68x + 25,950 = 100.65x + 28,350 y = 158.68 (41.357) + 25,950

-100.65x -100.65x​ y = $32,512.53 total cost of Rav4
58.03x + 25,950 = 28,350
​-25,950 -25,950​ y = 100.65 (41.357) + 28,350
​58.03x​ = ​2400​ y = $32,512.58 total cost of Hybrid
58.03 58.03
x = 41.357 months

My Solution is: ​(41.357, 32,512.53), (41.357, 32,512.58)

Step 6: ​Solve this System of Equations by ADDITION/ELIMINATION. Show your work!!! Write
answer as an ordered pair.

y - 158.68x = 25,950 y - 100.65 (41.357) = 28,350

-1 (y - 100.65x) = (28,350) -1 y - 4,162.58 = 28,350
​+ 4,162.58 +4,162.58
y - 158.68x = 25,950 y = $32,512.58 total cost of
-y + 100.65x = -28,350​ Hybrid
​-58.03x​ = ​-2400
-58.03 -58.03 y - 158.68 (41.357) = 25,950
x = 41.357 months y - 6,562.53 = 25,950
​+6,562.53 +6,562.53
​y = $32,512.53 total cost of Rav4

My solution is: ​(41.357, 32,512.58), (41.357, 32,512.53)

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?

If I were to round my answers to the nearest whole number, then I would

have the same answer for steps 4, 5 and 6. I think I should be getting the
same answers because I’m solving the same problem, just in different
ways. The information I’m using doesn’t change.

b) It will take about ___​42​_____ months (which is approximately ___​3.5​____years) for

the hybrid car to become the better deal.

y = 158.68x + 25,950 y = 100.65x + 28,350

y = 158.68(42) + 25,950 y = 100.65(42) + 28,350

y = $32,614.56 total cost of Rav4 y = $32,577.30 total cost of Hybrid

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.

Looking at just owning the Rav4 for 41 months compared to the Hybrid
showed that the Rav4 would be a better deal since it is cheaper in overall
cost and the initial price. However, in just one more month, it shows that
the Hybrid begins to be the cheaper deal in overall price.

I think that the Hybrid will be the best option for the company because
throughout time, the Hybrid will continue to be the better option in terms of
overall cost compared to the Rav4.
Reflection:
The car project shows exactly how math can be applied to the real
world. With so many options out there to help conserve energy, or “going
green,” I believe there are many people out there that probably do wonder
if spending more money for the greener option will in fact save them money
in the long run or should they choose the other option that has a lower
price. After seeing the results from this project, the new question to be
asked is do you want to save just this lump sum now or spend more money
now and then, in a few years, continue to save money throughout the
lifespan of the vehicle?
I would choose a hybrid car and I actually own a hybrid car. This
project has reassured me that I made a good decision based on the results.
If I had to convince the company I work for that purchasing a hybrid is the
better decision, I would tell them that owning a hybrid will bring them
continuous savings. If they purchased the regular car, they would only save
$2400, based on just the price of each car. After 3.5 years, the hybrid car
will bring them a savings of $37.26 in terms of total cost since they
purchased the vehicle. In about 7 years, they will be able to save $2,532.55
in terms of total cost of the car which surpasses the amount they would
save buying the regular car over the hybrid.
Another example where solving systems of equations could be used
is for those who want to start their own business. With the total cost of tools
and equipment to get started, the cost of materials needed for your product,
and the products selling price, solving systems of equations could help you
determine how much of your product would you need to sell in order to
make a profit and what that profit would be.
I do believe this assignment changed my thinking of how useful math
really is. Past math classes that I’ve been in would use word problems that,
to me, would never be applicable in my day to day life. I understand how
useful math is in certain fields, but it does make math more enjoyable when
it’s something I could use that brings value into my life.