An accountant charges a fee of \[tex]$120 to complete a company's taxes. The accountant also charges an additional \$[/tex]40 per hour to complete the taxes. Which of the following equations can be used to describe this problem?

A. [tex] y = 40 + 120x [/tex]
B. [tex] y = 40 - 120x [/tex]
C. [tex] y = 120 + 40x [/tex]
D. [tex] y = 120 - 40x [/tex]



Answer :

To determine which equation accurately represents the scenario where an accountant charges a base fee of [tex]$120 and an additional $[/tex]40 per hour to complete a company's taxes, we can follow these logical steps:

1. Identify the variables:
- Let \( y \) represent the total fee charged by the accountant.
- Let \( x \) represent the number of hours the accountant works.

2. Understand the charges:
- The accountant charges a fixed base fee of $120.
- In addition to the base fee, the accountant charges $40 for each hour worked.

3. Formulate the equation:
- The total fee \( y \) consists of the base fee plus the additional fee for the hours worked:
- Mathematically, this can be expressed as:
[tex]\[ y = \text{base fee} + (\text{additional fee per hour} \times \text{number of hours}) \][/tex]

Substituting the given values:
[tex]\[ y = 120 + 40x \][/tex]

4. Verify the options:
- Option 1: \( y = 40 + 120x \)
- This option suggests that the base fee is [tex]$40 and the additional fee per hour is $[/tex]120, which is incorrect.
- Option 2: \( y = 40 - 120x \)
- This option suggests a fee reduction as hours increase, which is incorrect.
- Option 3: \( y = 120 + 40x \)
- This option correctly represents the scenario with a base fee of [tex]$120 and an additional $[/tex]40 per hour.
- Option 4: \( y = 120 - 40x \)
- This option suggests that the total fee decreases as hours increase, which is incorrect.

Thus, the correct equation that can be used to describe this problem is \( y = 120 + 40x \). The answer is:
\(
\boxed{y = 120 + 40x}
\)

Therefore, the correct answer choice is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{3} \][/tex]

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