To mail a package, the rate is a cents for the first pound and b cents for each additional pound, where a>b. Two packages weighing 3 pounds and 5 pounds, respectively can be mailed seperately or combined as one package. Which method is cheaper and how much money is saved? Select the correct option:	A) Combined, with a saving of a-b cents	B) Combined, with a saving of a-b cents	C) Combined, with a saving of a cents	D) Separately, with a saving of a-b cents	E) Separately, with a saving of b cents
This means it costs a cent for the first pound in weight for example, 20 cents for the first pound.   It costs b cents for the every pound in weight above this, for example 10 cents for pound 2 and 10 cents for pound 3.   a is more than b. for example 20 cents vs. 10 cents   3 pounds: a+2b   5 pounds:a+4b   Total: 2a+6b   8 pounds: a+7b   So we are saving:   (2a+6b) - a+7b   = a-b cents   Combined is cheaper as we maximize y and minimize x.   Combined, with a saving of a-b centsnswer is:Combined, with a saving of a-b cents
<result>A</result>
To mail a package, the rate is a cents for the first pound and b cents for each additional pound, where a>b. Two packages weighing 3 pounds and 5 pounds, respectively can be mailed seperately or combined as one package. Which method is cheaper and how much money is saved?