Explanation
Correct answer: 182.
Let represent the number of small candles the owner can purchase, and let represent the number of large candles the owner can purchase. It's given that the owner pays $ per candle to purchase small candles and $ per candle to purchase large candles. Therefore, the owner pays dollars for small candles and dollars for large candles, which means the owner pays a total of dollars to purchase candles. It's given that the owner budgets $ to purchase candles. Therefore, . It's also given that the owner must purchase a minimum of candles. Therefore, . The inequalities and can be combined into one compound inequality by rewriting the second inequality so that its left-hand side is equivalent to the left-hand side of the first inequality. Subtracting from both sides of the inequality yields . Multiplying both sides of this inequality by yields , or . Adding to both sides of this inequality yields , or . This inequality can be combined with the inequality , which yields the compound inequality . It follows that . Subtracting from both sides of this inequality yields . Dividing both sides of this inequality by yields approximately . Since the number of large candles the owner purchases must be a whole number, the maximum number of large candles the owner can purchase is the largest whole number less than , which is .
Desmos solution:
Note: The regression finds the boundary with y as large candles, then floor y=182 to keep the purchase count whole.
Enter in Desmos:
Reviewed and rewritten by CookSAT