PROBLEM SOLUTION

With values of P and Q given for each contractor, along with the formula acquired
for 𝑥, the length CB’ and the total cost for each of the four contractors were found.

Cost Contractor 1 Charges,

Cost to run pipeline on land (P) = $4000 per km
Cost to run pipeline underwater (Q) = $5000 per km

Remember, 𝑥= 60
¿¿
P

CB’ = 𝑥
Therefore,
60 ( 4000 )
CB’= = 80 km , therefore 𝑥 = 80km
√5000 2−40002
The length of BC was then calculated:
Remember, BC =√ x 2+3600
Substitute the value obtained for 𝑥 into the equation
BC =√ 802 +3600
= √ 6400+3600
= √ 10000
= 100km
The length of AC was then calculated:
Remember, AC = 90−x
Substitute the value obtained for 𝑥 into the equation
AC =90−80
=10 km
Since AC and BC were obtained, we were now able to calculate T(total cost) to run
the pipeline from Venezuela’s shore to Trinidad for Contractor 1.
 Remember, T= P(Distance on land) + Q(Distance underwater)
AC= Distance on land , BC= Distance underwater
Substitute the values for AC and BC into the equation to find T
T= (4000) (10) + (5000) (100)
= 40000 + 500000
= $540 000.00
 Therefore, Contractor 1 charges $540 000.00 to run the pipeline from the
shore of Venezuela to Trinidad.
The Costs that the other 3 contractors will charge can be calculated by repeating
the same steps used to calculate the cost that contractor 1 would charge.

Cost Contractor 2 Charges,

Cost to run pipeline on land (P) = $5000 per km
Cost to run pipeline underwater (Q) = $13000 per km
CB’ = 𝑥
60 ( 5 000 )
CB’= = 25 km , therefore 𝑥 = 25km
√13 0002 −5 0002
Distance BC = √ 252 +3600
= √ 625+3600
= √ 4225
= 65km
Distance AC = 90−25
= 65km
T= (5000) (65) + (13000) (65)
= 325 000 + 845 000
= $1 170 000.00
  Therefore, Contractor 2 charges $1 170 000.00 to run the pipeline from the
shore of Venezuela to Trinidad.

Cost Contractor 3 Charges,

Cost to run pipeline on land (P) = $6000 per km
Cost to run pipeline underwater (Q) Q = $10 000 per km
CB’ = 𝑥
60 ( 6 000 )
CB’ = = 45 km , therefore 𝑥 = 45km
√10 0002 −6 0002
Distance BC = √ 452 +3600
= √ 2025+3600
= √ 56 25
= 75km
Distance AC = 90−45
= 45km
T= (6000) (45) + (10000) (75)
= 270 000 + 750 000
= $1 020 000.00
 Therefore, Contractor 3 charges $1 020 000.00 to run the pipeline from the
shore of Venezuela to Trinidad.

Cost Contractor 4 Charges,

Cost to run pipeline on land (P) = $5000
Cost to run pipeline underwater (Q) = $5000 per km
CB’ = 𝑥
60 ( 6000 ) 300000 300000
CB’ = 2 2 = km , therefore 𝑥 = = km
√5 000 −5 000 √0 √0
The result of CB’ is undefined or undetermined. Therefore, the distance across the
water from point A to point B (this is the shortest distance) will be used to acquire
the minimum cost that this contractor charges.
Remember, AC = Distance on land & BC = Distance underwater
BC = AB
Therefore,
BC = √ 902 +3600
= √ 8100+3600
= √ 11 700 km
Hence,
AB = BC = √ 11 700 km
This contractor charges the same amount of money per kilometre to run the
pipeline on land and underwater. Therefore, P = Q
We are now able to find the total cost that this contractor charges:
Remember, T= P (Distance on land) + Q (Distance underwater)
Substitute values acquires into the equation,
T = (5000) (0) + (5000) (√ 11700 ¿
=$540 832.69
Approximate the value of T to the nearest thousandth: T = $541 000.00
 Therefore, Contractor 4 charges $541 000.00 to run the pipeline from the
shore of Venezuela to Trinidad.