Which statement best explains how the rhetorical
device supports the central idea?
The author uses a rhetorical question to make the
old gentleman seem ridiculous.
The author uses an allusion to refer to a well-known
expert, showing that the central idea is valid.
The author reinforces the central idea by
understating the wise thoughts of the old
gentleman.
The author emphasizes the central idea by showing
the old man's foolishness through his use of
overstatement.

The author emphasizes the central idea by showing

the old man's foolishness through his use of

overstatement.

Explanation:

D) The author emphasizes the central idea by showing the old man’s foolishness through his use of overstatement.

Explanation:

Just had the question and got it right

in the problem you wrote said that the taxi charges $0.070 per mile(which would be 7 cents per mile), but then in your suggested equation you have it as $0.70 per mile (which is 70 cents per mile).

the latter seems more realistic, so i will assume that the taxi costs $5.00 and charges $0.70 per mile with tolls costing an additional $3.50. and it asks you to find how far you can travel on $36.50.

let x the number of miles traveled. since the taxi charges $0.70 per mile, multiplying this by the miles traveled (x) will yield the cost of the taxi ride as far as how far it took you. then adding this amount to the cost of the taxi ($5.00) and the additional cost for the tolls ($3.50) will give you the total cost of the taxi ride ($36.50)

that is,

            (0.70)x + 5.00 + 3.50 = 36.50

adding the like terms on the left-hand side of this equation, we arrive at the following:

            (0.70)x + 8.50 = 36.50

subtracting 8.50 from both sides of the equation, we get:

            (0.70)x = 28.00

to solve for x, divide both sides of the equation above by the coefficient of x (that being, 0.70):

            x = 40

thus, you can travel up to 40 miles on $36.50

the objective should be switched