John's Gym charges its members according to the equation y = 40x, where x is the number of months and y represents the total cost to each customer after x months. Ralph's Recreation Room charges its members according to the equation y = 45x. What relationship can be determined about the monthly cost to the members of each company?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The equation y = 40x represents John's Gym charging $40 per month, while the equation y = 45x represents Ralph's Recreation Room charging $45 per month. Since $40 is less than $45, it can be concluded that John's Gym offers a lower monthly membership fee compared to Ralph's Recreation Room. Therefore, the correct answer is that John's monthly membership fee is less than Ralph's monthly membership fee. Choices A and B are incorrect because John's fee is not equal to or greater than Ralph's fee. Choice D is incorrect as there is a clear relationship indicating that John's monthly membership fee is less than Ralph's monthly membership fee.