Real-Life Math
You are the only doula in your area. As such, you have gotten used
to the telephone ringing in the middle of the night. Tonight proves no different
than any other. You pick up the phone.
"Hi, this is Jake Tripper,"
says a deep voice on the other end. "My wife's going into labor." You crinkle
your nose as you notice how much the wind and snow are whipping around outside.
You throw on some clothes and take off.
The Trippers' baby is born
without complications. The young couple is ecstatic. As you put on your coat
to leave the clinic, Jake lays his hand on your shoulder and says quietly:
"OK, what do I owe you in all?"
In your eagerness to get back to bed,
you totally forgot about payment. As you walk out the door, you look back
at Jake and reply, "Don't worry about all that right now, Jake. Go on inside
and be with your wife and your little boy."
In about a week's time,
you decide to write out the Trippers' bill. You crack open your journal and
locate their case page.
You find out that in a month and a half, you've
performed the following services for the Trippers: 1 general physical at $137.81;
5 prenatal examinations at $66.39 apiece; 1 child delivery at $503.94; and
2 post-partum visits at $66.39 apiece. What will be the Trippers'
final bill (with 14 percent tax on top)?