Transportation Costs

Truckers Dilemma
Hannah Caplin
Math 1050

A truck driving 260 miles over a flat interstate at a constant

rate of 50 miles per hour gets 7 miles to the gallon. Fuel costs
$3.50 per gallon. For each mile per hour increase in speed,
the truck loses a tenth of a mile per gallon in its mileage.
Drivers get $27.50 per hour in wages and fixed costs for
running the truck amount to $11.33 per hour. What constant
speed (between 50 mph and the speed limit of 65 mph)
should the truck drive to minimize the total cost of the trip?

Part 1

What is the length of time required for the trip at 50

mph?

5.2 hours

What is the amount needed to pay the driver and run

the truck?

$201.92

What is the amount of fuel required?

260/7 gallons

What is the cost of fuel?

$130.00

What is the total cost for the trip?

$331.92

Part 2

What is the length of time required for the trip at 65

mph?

4 hours

What is the amount needed to pay the driver and run

the truck?

$155.32

What is the mileage at 65 mph?

5.5 mpg

What is the amount of fuel required?

260/5.5 mpg

What is the cost of fuel?

$165.45

What is the total cost for the trip?

$320.77

Part 3

What is the length of time required for the trip?

260/x

What is the amount of money needed to pay the

driver and run the truck?

$38.83(260/x)

What is the mileage at x mph?

7-(x-50)(0.1)

What is the amount of fuel required?

260/7-(x-50)(0.1)

What is the cost of the fuel?

(260/7-(x-50)(0.1))(3.5)

What is the total trip cost function?

C(x)=38.83(260/x)+3.5(260/7-(x-50)(0.1))

C(50)

$331.92

C(65)

$320.77

Part 4

What is the minimum cost for the trip?

$319.73

What mph minimizes the cost?

62 mph

Graph of cost function with minimum point

Reflective Writing
This project surprisingly made me realize that this type of math can be applied
to real-world situations. I was able to learn how to use functions and graphs to
figure out standard everyday problems like figuring out the most effective and
efficient way to travel. I know that I will be able to use these principles in my
future travels and expenses as well as in my future college classes and
career.