Question 3609
From this problem we see that there is some initial charge (C) and some fixed amount (A) that gets added every 1/4 mile so the total cost(T) of a trip (M) miles long will be:

{{{T=C+A (4*M)}}}

Now we are given the total for Two trips one where M=1 and one where M=1.5 or 3/2.
So:
{{{4.00=C+A (4*1)}}}
and
{{{5.50=C+A (4*1.5)}}}

With two equations and two unknowns it is trivial to solve for A...
A=0.75 and C=1.00

Therefore to get the cost of a 3 mile trip we do:
{{{T=1.00+0.75*3*4}}}=$10.00