as the rate of company B is greater, the company B will reach the top first
Explanationto solve this we can find the rate of each company and then compare
let
[tex]rate=\frac{finished\text{ length of construction}}{time\text{ taken}}[/tex]so
Step 1
convert the mixed number into fractions
remember how
[tex]a\frac{b}{c}=\frac{(a*c)+b}{c}[/tex]so
[tex]\begin{gathered} 5\text{ }\frac{1}{2}=\frac{(5*2)+1}{2}=\frac{11}{2} \\ 3\text{ }\frac{1}{2}=\frac{(3*2)+1}{2}=\frac{7}{2} \end{gathered}[/tex]Step 2
Find the rate of each company
A) Company A
replace
[tex]\begin{gathered} rate=\frac{finished\text{ length of construction}}{time\text{ taken}} \\ rate_A=\frac{550}{\frac{11}{2}}=\frac{1100}{11}=100\text{ ft per month} \end{gathered}[/tex]B) Company B
[tex]\begin{gathered} rate=\frac{finished\text{ length of construction}}{time\text{ taken}} \\ rate_B=\frac{385}{\frac{7}{2}}=\frac{770}{7}=110\text{ ft per month} \end{gathered}[/tex]Step 3
finally, compare
[tex]\begin{gathered} 110\text{ ft per month }>100\text{ ft per month} \\ hence \\ rate_B>rate_A \end{gathered}[/tex]as the rate of company B is greater, the company B will reach the top first
