An accountant charges a fee of [tex]$\$[/tex]120[tex]$ to complete a company's taxes. The accountant also charges an additional $[/tex]\[tex]$40$[/tex] 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 solve this problem, let's break down the given situation and form the appropriate equation step-by-step.

1. Understanding the Problem:
- The accountant charges a fixed fee of $120 to complete a company's taxes. This fee does not change regardless of the number of hours worked.
- Additionally, the accountant charges $40 for each hour spent working on the taxes.

2. Setting Up the Equation:
- Let \( x \) represent the number of hours the accountant spends working.
- Let \( y \) represent the total fee charged by the accountant.

3. Formulating the Equation:
- The total fee \( y \) consists of two parts: the fixed fee and the hourly fee multiplied by the number of hours.
- The fixed fee is $120.
- The hourly fee is $40 per hour, so for \( x \) hours, this part of the fee would be \( 40x \).
- Therefore, the total fee \( y \) can be represented as the sum of the fixed fee and the variable hourly fee:
[tex]\[ y = 120 + 40x \][/tex]

4. Comparing with Given Options:
- Compare the equation \( y = 120 + 40x \) with the given options:
- \( y = 40 + 120x \)
- \( y = 40 - 120x \)
- \( y = 120 + 40x \)
- \( y = 120 - 40x \)

5. Conclusion:
- The equation that matches our derived equation \( y = 120 + 40x \) is the third option.

Thus, the equation that can be used to describe this problem is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{y = 120 + 40x} \][/tex]