The chart below shows the economic cost of two school lunches.

\begin{tabular}{|l|r|r|}
\hline \multicolumn{3}{|c|}{ Economic Cost per Lunch } \\
\hline & \begin{tabular}{c}
Current \\
lunch
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{c}
Healthier \\
lunch
\end{tabular} \\
\hline Main course & \[tex]$ 1.15 & \$[/tex] 1.85 \\
\hline Side dish & \[tex]$ 0.30 & \$[/tex] 0.90 \\
\hline Dessert & \[tex]$ 0.30 & \$[/tex] 0.10 \\
\hline Beverage & \[tex]$ 0.30 & \$[/tex] 0.05 \\
\hline Total & \[tex]$ 2.05 & \$[/tex] 2.90 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

The largest price difference between the two lunches is found in the:
A. dessert
B. side dish
C. beverage
D. main course



Answer :

To determine the largest price difference between the two lunches, we will examine the differences for each component listed: Main course, Side dish, Dessert, and Beverage.

Here’s the detailed step-by-step solution:

1. Identify the cost for each component:
- Current lunch costs:
- Main course: [tex]$1.15 - Side dish: $[/tex]0.30
- Dessert: [tex]$0.30 - Beverage: $[/tex]0.30

- Healthier lunch costs:
- Main course: [tex]$1.85 - Side dish: $[/tex]0.90
- Dessert: [tex]$0.10 - Beverage: $[/tex]0.05

2. Calculate the price differences for each component:
- Main course:
[tex]\( |1.15 - 1.85| = 0.70 \)[/tex]
- Side dish:
[tex]\( |0.30 - 0.90| = 0.60 \)[/tex]
- Dessert:
[tex]\( |0.30 - 0.10| = 0.20 \)[/tex]
- Beverage:
[tex]\( |0.30 - 0.05| = 0.25 \)[/tex]

3. Compare the price differences:
- Main course: [tex]\( 0.70 \)[/tex]
- Side dish: [tex]\( 0.60 \)[/tex]
- Dessert: [tex]\( 0.20 \)[/tex]
- Beverage: [tex]\( 0.25 \)[/tex]

From the calculations, the largest price difference is in the main course, with a difference of $0.70.

Thus, the largest price difference between the two lunches is found in the main course.