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 (Gas automobiles vs. its hybrid version) and then
using systems of linear equations to decide which one is the better buy for you. Make sure that the
vehicles you are comparing are new (from the same year) and have the same trim level (for
example: S, SE, LX, EX,...)

Regular Gas Automobile 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 to use for work. However, in order for them 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 gas 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.
Assignment: Do some internet research to better understand the difference between hybrid cars and
gas cars. Make note of the pros and cons between the hybrid and gas cars. You will collect
information from the internet (price and monthly gas cost) for each car you choose. 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 show all your work. Type your work
in this document. (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 Trim Level Give Make, Model and Trim Level

Toyota Camry 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2020

Trim Level: LE Trim Level: LE

Cost ($) $24,970 $28,430

Gas Mileage 28MPH 51MPH

(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/28mp=$ gallons 1500mi/51mpg=$ gallons

1500/28=53.57 1500/51=29.41

# of gallons * $ per gallon= Cost # of gallons * $ per gallon= Cost

of gas each month of gas each month
53.57*2.75=$147 29.41*2.75=$80.88=$81

Answer: $147 per month Answer: $81 per month

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=147x+24970 Y=81x+28430

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

a. Go to https://www.geogebra.org/graphing
b. Type first equation in the input box then enter. Type in your second equation then enter.
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) then hit enter.
d. On right side of the page click on the gear. Then click on “zoom to fit.” Then drag the grid so that the
intersection of your equations are the focus of the graph. Then zoom it in a little more using the mouse.
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) Then 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: (52 ,32676)

Paste Geogebra graph here

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

Y=147x+24970

Y=81x+28430 (plug in this equation for y in the first equation)

81x+28430=147x+24970
-81x -24970 -81 -24970

3460=66x (divide both sides by 66 to find x)

66 66
X=52.42 X=52 (round to the nearest whole number and then plug in 52 for X)
Y=147(52)+24970
Y=7644+24970
Y=32614
 My Solution is: (52,32614)

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

Y=147x+24970 (set up the equations to have the x’s to the left with the y and = to the cost of the car)

Y=81x+28430

-147x+y=24970 (multiply by -1 to eliminate the y’s)

-81x+y=28430

147x-y=-24970

-81x+y=28430

66x=3460 (divide by 66)

66 66

X=52.42 X=52 (round to the nearest whole number and then plug in 52 for X)

Y=147(52)+24970

Y=7644+24970

Y=32614

My solution is: (52,32614)

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?
I did get the same answers for steps 4, 5, and 6. I should get the same answers because even though the
equations are set up differently, they should all equal to the same amount. The intersection point is
when both cars will be at the same price.
b) It will take about ___52_____ months. Which is approximately _4.3______years (round to nearest tenth) for the
hybrid car to become the 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. Remember that price may not
be the only consideration in making this decision.
I would pick the hybrid car because is it less gas that you have to pay per month. The hybrid car will have
more additions or features than the regular car and if I wanted to sell it in the future, it would sell at a
decent price.