Team 4

In order to encourage the railroad companies to build quickly, the United States government promised them both money and land for each mile of track they completed. Your job will be to compare the work done by each company and what they were rewarded. In order to honor the workers’ heritage, you will be using both the US standard and Metric Systems. Round all your answers to the nearest WHOLE NUMBER, unless otherwise specified.

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1. For every mile of track across level land, each company would receive $16,000. For miles of track laid through mountains and canyons, they would receive $48,000. Assume that 75% of the Union Pacific’s track was laid in plains (at $16,000/mile) and that 75% of the Central Pacific’s track was laid in mountains and canyons (at $48,000/mile). Complete the chart below based on this information, and the questions in number 2. 

2. Now assume that the Central Pacific's ENTIRE track was laid in the mountains, and the Union Pacific's ENTIRE track was laid in the plains. How much would each company make then? 

   1. What is the MAXIMUM amount of money that each could make? ​

3. Which company most likely earned the most money? Why? 

   1. How many TIMES more money did they earn than the other company? (Round to two decimal places.)

4. Each company was awarded 6,400 acres for each mile of track built, regardless of whether it was built in plains or mountains. Which company earned the most land?

   1. How many TIMES more land did they earn than the other company? (Round to two decimal places.)

5. Display the above information in a creative way, like a poster or infographic.