Which Taxi Company Offers the Best Value for Money?

Mr McClean needs to hire a taxi and wants to get the best deal. He calls three different taxi companies to ask about their prices for different journeys. Here’s what he finds out:

• A1 Taxis: A 5 mile journey costs £15
• Crazy Cabs: A 4 mile journey costs £13
• Value Cars: A 10 mile journey costs £28

But which company gives the best value for money? Let’s find out by working out the price per mile for each company.

Step 1: Calculate the Cost Per Mile

To compare the companies fairly, we need to know how much each one charges for one mile.

A1 Taxis:
5 miles cost £15
So, £15 divided by 5 miles = £3 per mile

Crazy Cabs:
4 miles cost £13
So, £13 divided by 4 miles = £3.25 per mile

Value Cars:
10 miles cost £28
So, £28 divided by 10 miles = £2.80 per mile

Step 2: Compare the Costs

Now we know the cost per mile for each taxi company:

• Value Cars: £2.80 per mile (cheapest)
• A1 Taxis: £3.00 per mile
• Crazy Cabs: £3.25 per mile (most expensive)

Step 3: Order from Best to Least Value

The company with the lowest cost per mile offers the best value. So, we put them in order from best value to least value:

1. Value Cars (best value for money)
2. A1 Taxis
3. Crazy Cabs (least value for money)

Why Is This Useful?

Working out the cost per mile is a quick and fair way to compare prices, especially when each company gives you a price for a different journey. This type of maths comes up in real life all the time, whether you’re comparing taxis, shopping for deals, or working out rates and unit costs.

A Tip for Your Studies

If you’re preparing for exams, questions like this are great practice for using division and comparing rates. If you need more help with these kinds of maths problems, maths tuition for GCSE can give you extra support, tips, and practice to boost your confidence.

Conclusion

Whenever you need to compare prices, remember to work out the cost for one unit—like one mile, one item, or one hour. In this case, Value Cars is the best choice for Mr McClean, offering the cheapest price per mile. Next time you have to compare costs, you’ll know exactly what to do!