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The two cell phone plans presented are:

1. **Plan A:**
   - $30 per month
   - 1500 minutes & 1500 texts
   - Includes 30 MB of web access.

2. **Plan B:**
   - $20 per month
   - 400 minutes
   - 15¢ per text
   - $1.50 per MB for web access.

Since your father doesn’t plan to text or use web access, we can focus on the minute usage. You want to determine how many minutes your father would need to talk per month for Plan A ($30 plan) to be a better deal compared to Plan B ($20 plan).

### Calculating the cost for additional minutes in **Plan B**:
- Plan B includes 400 minutes.
- For each additional minute beyond 400 minutes, it costs 10¢.

### Equation for Plan B:
For more than 400 minutes, the cost for Plan B is:
\[
\text{Cost of Plan B} = 20 + 0.10 \times (\text{Minutes Used} - 400)
\]
You want to know when this cost exceeds $30 (cost of Plan A), i.e.,
\[
20 + 0.10 \times (\text{Minutes Used} - 400) \geq 30
\]

### Solving the equation:
1. Subtract $20 from both sides:
\[
0.10 \times (\text{Minutes Used} - 400) \geq 10
\]
2. Divide both sides by $0.10:
\[
\text{Minutes Used} - 400 \geq 100
\]
3. Add 400 to both sides:
\[
\text{Minutes Used} \geq 500
\]

Thus, your father would need to talk more than **500 minutes per month** for Plan A to be the better option.

---

Do you want further details or have any questions?

### Follow-up questions:
1. How would the comparison change if your father used a small number of text messages?
2. What if your father used some data in addition to calls, how would that affect the choice?
3. If your father wanted to avoid any overage charges, which plan would be safer?
4. Can we calculate the breakeven point for text usage as well, assuming no web access?
5. If your father's usage fluctuates between months, how could he optimize his costs?

### Tip:
Always compare base plans with potential overage costs for realistic monthly usage!

I was browsing for a cheap pay-as-you-go cell phone for my father. I found these two plans from one company:
1. $30 per month for 1500 minutes and 1500 texts, plus 30 MB of web access.
2. $20 per month for 400 minutes, 15¢ per text, and $1.50/MB for web access.
How many minutes would my dad have to talk in a month for it to be better to get the more expensive plan?

Explore how to compare the cost of two cell phone plans using linear equations and inequalities. This problem focuses on analyzing the breakeven point to determine the better plan for high minute usage, suitable for students in Grades 8-10.

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