The Harris family needs to purchase topsoil for their landscaping project (measuring 50 ft x 40 ft with a thickness of 6 inches of topsoil/mulch). They have two options:

a. purchasing the soil in 3 ft3 bags priced at $2.25 each with no delivery charge, or

b. purchasing in bulk at $18 per cubic yard with a one-time $50 delivery fee. Which option is the least expensive and by how much? Explain.

Question

Mathematics

Ally Marks

31 October, 18:41

The Harris family needs to purchase topsoil for their landscaping project (measuring 50 ft x 40 ft with a thickness of 6 inches of topsoil/mulch). They have two options:

a. purchasing the soil in 3 ft3 bags priced at $2.25 each with no delivery charge, or

b. purchasing in bulk at $18 per cubic yard with a one-time $50 delivery fee. Which option is the least expensive and by how much? Explain.

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Benjamin Mayo · Answer 1

50ft x 40ft x 0.5ft = 1,000 ft³ of soil needed for the project

1000/3 = 333.3 bags of soil would be needed, so round up to 334.

334 x $2.25 = $751.50

convert the feet³ to yards³, divide the 1000 ft³ by 27 (27 ft³ in 1 yard³)

1000/27 = 37.037 (repeating) yd³ I'll round up to 38 yd³

38yd³ x $18 = $684 + $50 delivery fee = $734

So, the bulk soil is less expensive by $17.50