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 Style Give Make, Model and Style

Honda Accord LX Honda Accord Lx Hybrid

Cost ($)
$27,620 $29,220

Gas Mileage
(miles per gallon - city) 30 mpg city 48 mpg 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:
30mpg 48mpg

Cost of Gas Each Month Show work here: Show work here:

1500m/30g= 50 gallons 1500m/48= 31.25 gallons

50g(2.75p) = $137.50 gallon 31.25m(2.75g) = $85.94 gallon

price price

Answer: Answer:
$137.50 per month $85.94 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=138x+27.620 Y=86x+29,220
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:
Step 5: Solve this System of Equations by SUBSTITUTION. Show your work!!! Write answer as an ordered pair.

138x+27,620 = 86x+29,220

-86x -86x y= 138(30.77) +27,620

------------------------------------------- y= 4246.26 + 27,620

52x+27,620=29,220 y= 31866.26

-27,620=-27,620

-----------------------------------

52x/52= 1,600/52

X=30.77 (30.77,31,866.26)

My Solution is: (30.77, 31866.26)

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

y= 138x+27,620 y= 86x+29,220 y=86(30.77) +29,220

-138x -86x y= 2646.22 + 29,220

-138x+y=27,620 -86x+y= 29,220 y= 31866.22

-138x+y=27,620

86x+y=-29,220

----------------------------------

-52x/-52=-1600/-52

X= 30.77

My solution is: (30.77,31,866.22)

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?
Yes, I got the same answers on step 4, step 5, and step 6. I got the same answers as I was looking for the same
information, but using different, equations to find the solution.
b) It will take about 31 months (which is approximately 2.5years) 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.

I would choose a hybrid car, although the beginning cost of a hybrid is higher. It is a smarter purchase
throughout the life span of a vehicle and the car will be driven a lot more then the 31 months so that makes the
statement that the hybrid smarter purchase and will save you the most money.