Answer
The actual cost for a 30 minute call is:
Penny Saver \$0.54
Most Minutes \$0.565
USA Card \$0.55
The per minute cost is:
Penny Saver \$0.018/min
Most Minutes \$0.019/min
USA Card \$0.018/min
Comparing all 3 providers, the cost per minute is almost identical for a 30 minute call.
Work Step by Step
(a) To find the actual total cost, add the connection fee to the per minute charge for 30 minutes.
Penny Saver $0.39 + (30)(0.005)$ = $0.39+0.15$ = 0.54
Most Minutes $0.49 + (30)(0.0025)$ = $0.49+0.075$ = 0.565
USA Card $0.25 + (30)(0.01)$ = $0.25+0.30$ = 0.55
(b) Use the actual cost from (a) to find the unit cost.
Penny Saver $\frac{0.54}{30 min}$ = $\frac{0.54\div30}{30\div30 min}$ = $\frac{0.08}{1 min}$ = 0.018/min
Most Minutes $\frac{0.565}{30 min}$ = $\frac{0.565\div30}{30\div30 min}$ = $\frac{0.019}{1 min}$ = 0.019/min
USA Card $\frac{0.55}{30 min}$ = $\frac{0.55\div30}{30\div30 min}$ = $\frac{0.018}{1 min}$ = 0.018/min
