What is the best option for Michael if he needs to buy 55 gallons of paint at the least cost?

• A. two 25-gallon buckets at $550 each
• B. eleven 5-gallon buckets at $108 each
• C. six 10-gallon buckets at $215 each
• D. fifty-five 1-gallon buckets at $23 each

Answer: (B)

To determine the best option for Michael to buy 55 gallons of paint at the least cost, we can calculate the total cost for each option.

For the first option, purchasing two 25-gallon buckets at $550 each results in:

• 2 buckets × $550 = $1100.

This option provides 50 gallons, which is insufficient.

For the second option, eleven 5-gallon buckets at $108 each yields:

• 11 buckets × $108 = $1188.

This option meets the required 55 gallons and is fully enough.

The third option involves six 10-gallon buckets at $215 each:

• 6 buckets × $215 = $1290.

This also exceeds the cost of option B, while providing 60 gallons, which again is more than needed.

Lastly, the fourth option of fifty-five 1-gallon buckets at $23 each totals:

• 55 buckets × $23 = $1265.

Though it covers the needed volume, it is more expensive than the second option.

Thus, option B is the most cost-effective choice for acquiring exactly 55 gallons of paint at $1188, making it the best decision for Michael in terms of total expenditure.