Which of the following code segments correctly sets the value of the variable cost to the cost, in dollars, of using numUnits units of electricity?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to identify which code segment correctly calculates the cost of electricity based on a given number of units used, where the price differs depending on the threshold of 25 units.
Answer
The correct code segment is: ```plaintext cost ← 25 * 5 + (numUnits - 25) * 7 ```
Answer for screen readers
The correct code segment is:
cost ← 25 * 5 + (numUnits - 25) * 7
Steps to Solve
- Understanding the Cost Structure
We need to calculate the cost based on units used, with different rates for the first 25 units and additional units. The costs are as follows:
- For the first 25 units, the cost is $5 per unit.
- For units beyond 25, the cost is $7 per unit.
- Analyzing Each Option
We will analyze each provided code segment:
-
Option A:
IF numUnits ≤ 25 THEN cost ← numUnits * 5 ELSE cost ← numUnits * 7
This incorrectly applies $7 for all units over 25 instead of applying $5 for the first 25.
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Option B:
IF numUnits ≤ 25 THEN cost ← numUnits * 5 ELSE cost ← (numUnits - 25) * 7
This also incorrectly calculates the cost, as it does not account for the first 25 units properly.
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Option C:
IF numUnits ≤ 25 THEN cost ← numUnits * 5 ELSE cost ← 25 * 5 + (numUnits - 25) * 7
This correctly calculates the cost. It first charges $5 for the first 25 and $7 for any extra units.
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Option D:
IF numUnits ≤ 25 THEN cost ← numUnits * 5 ELSE cost ← 25 * 5 + (numUnits - 25) * 5
This is incorrect for any units above 25, as it should use $7, not $5.
- Identifying the Correct Answer
Based on our analysis, the only option that accurately reflects the cost structure is Option C.
The correct code segment is:
cost ← 25 * 5 + (numUnits - 25) * 7
More Information
This answer correctly implements the tiered pricing for electricity consumption, where the cost shifts from $5 to $7 after the first 25 units. Understanding conditional statements in programming is key for such calculations.
Tips
- Misinterpreting the conditions and costs can lead to incorrect calculations.
- Not adjusting the base cost for the first 25 units when calculating additional usage.