Math Problem Statement

A utility company charges 15 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity. How much does it cost to keep a 100-watt light bulb on for a week? How much will you save in a year if you replace the bulb with an LED bulb that provides the same amount of light for only 25 watts of power?

Solution

To solve this, we need to calculate the energy consumption and cost for both the 100-watt incandescent bulb and the 25-watt LED bulb.

Step 1: Calculate energy consumption for the 100-watt bulb

  • Power of the bulb = 100 watts = 0.1 kilowatts (since 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts)
  • Time in a week = 7 days × 24 hours/day = 168 hours

Energy consumed in a week (in kilowatt-hours) = Power (in kW) × Time (in hours) Eincandescent=0.1kW×168hours=16.8kWhE_{\text{incandescent}} = 0.1 \, \text{kW} \times 168 \, \text{hours} = 16.8 \, \text{kWh}

Step 2: Calculate the cost for the 100-watt bulb

The cost is calculated by multiplying the energy consumed by the rate charged by the utility company.

Cost = Energy consumed × Rate Costincandescent=16.8kWh×0.15USD/kWh=2.52USD\text{Cost}_{\text{incandescent}} = 16.8 \, \text{kWh} \times 0.15 \, \text{USD/kWh} = 2.52 \, \text{USD}

So, it costs $2.52 to keep the 100-watt bulb on for a week.

Step 3: Calculate energy consumption for the 25-watt LED bulb

  • Power of the LED bulb = 25 watts = 0.025 kilowatts
  • Time in a week = 168 hours

Energy consumed in a week (in kilowatt-hours) = Power (in kW) × Time (in hours) ELED=0.025kW×168hours=4.2kWhE_{\text{LED}} = 0.025 \, \text{kW} \times 168 \, \text{hours} = 4.2 \, \text{kWh}

Step 4: Calculate the cost for the 25-watt LED bulb

Cost = Energy consumed × Rate CostLED=4.2kWh×0.15USD/kWh=0.63USD\text{Cost}_{\text{LED}} = 4.2 \, \text{kWh} \times 0.15 \, \text{USD/kWh} = 0.63 \, \text{USD}

So, it costs $0.63 to keep the 25-watt LED bulb on for a week.

Step 5: Calculate yearly savings

To find how much you save in a year by switching to the LED bulb:

  • Cost difference per week = 2.52USD0.63USD=1.89USD2.52 \, \text{USD} - 0.63 \, \text{USD} = 1.89 \, \text{USD}
  • Savings per year = Cost difference per week × 52 weeks Savingsyearly=1.89USD/week×52weeks=98.28USD/year\text{Savings}_{\text{yearly}} = 1.89 \, \text{USD/week} \times 52 \, \text{weeks} = 98.28 \, \text{USD/year}

Thus, you will save $98.28 per year by switching to the LED bulb.


Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are some related questions:

  1. How do energy efficiency ratings compare for different types of light bulbs?
  2. What is the environmental impact of using energy-efficient bulbs like LEDs?
  3. How long do LED bulbs typically last compared to incandescent bulbs?
  4. What other household appliances use significant energy and how can they be made more efficient?
  5. How can you calculate the cost savings for switching multiple light bulbs in your home?

Tip: Energy-efficient LED bulbs last much longer and use significantly less electricity, making them a smart investment despite the higher upfront cost.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Energy Consumption
Cost Calculation
Unit Conversion (Watts to Kilowatts)
Savings Calculation

Formulas

Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) × Time (hours)
Cost = Energy (kWh) × Rate (USD/kWh)
Savings per year = (Cost of 100-watt bulb - Cost of 25-watt bulb) × 52 weeks

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8