A contractor is ordering materials for a small construction project. The table below shows the cost per square foot for different types of flooring.
| Flooring Type | Cost per square foot ($) |
|---|---|
| Hardwood | 8.50 |
| Tile | 4.20 |
| Carpet | 2.75 |
The equation represents the total cost, , in dollars, for purchasing square feet of hardwood, square feet of tile, and square feet of carpet. Which of the following is the best interpretation of the expression in this context?
The total area, in square feet, of hardwood and tile flooring
The total cost, in dollars, of hardwood and tile flooring
The cost, in dollars, of one square foot of hardwood and one square foot of tile
The difference in cost between hardwood and tile flooring
