Need help figuring out Algebra Word Problem?

Question

A manufacturer can sell a certain product for $80 per unit. Total cost consists of a fixed overhead of $4500 plus production costs of $50 per unit.
(a) How many units must the manufacturer sell to break even?

Be assured I DON'T want the answer but I need to figure out how to find it. If someone could give the equation or how to set up the equation for this problem that would be help enough!

Thanks in advance,

Jennifer

Thanks I found the answer with the help I received!

I will choose the best answer in an hour or so, you have to wait 4 hours or I would have done it already.

Thanks again to those who helped me!

Answer 1

If you use 'x' as the number of units that must be sold to break even, you would get the equation 80x=50x+$4500.
When you solve for 'x' you will have the answer to your question.
How refreshsing to have someone ask 'how' to do something instead of asking people to do it for them. You go girl!

Answer 2

To start setting up the equation - expenses go together on one side & profits on the other. The expenses are: $4500 fixed overhead and $50 for each product made. Profits: $80 for each product made. x stands for the unknown number of products made.

4500 + 50x = 80x

And you can continue from there. =)
It's nice to see that you aren't just asking for the answer like so many others do!

Answer 3

use the equation 80x=4500+50x and solve for x
When you get the x, it will show how many units need to be sold to break even (when income and costs are equal).

Answer 4

you can make a formula.

x would be the least amount of units needed to sell to break even.

80x = 4500 + 50x ------- subtract 50x from both sides.

30x = 4500

Go from there.

Answer 5

y = 80 x
y = 4500 + 50x

find their intersect