An amusement park that you are excited to try is $28 per visit.

You have the option to purchase a monthly membership for $90 and then pay $15 for each visit.
(4 points)
You have plans to attend 3 times this summer. Which option is best?
You think you will visit probably about 8 times this summer. Which option is best?
You have budgeted $150 for visiting the park this summer. Which option is best?
How many visits would be approximately the break even point where both options would cost about the same?
:: Pay per visit
:: Buy a membership
:: 2
:: 5
:: 7
•: 11

1 answer

Let's compare the two options based on the number of visits.

  1. Cost of Pay per visit: $28 per visit
  2. Cost of Monthly Membership: $90 + $15 per visit.

Let's calculate the cost for each option based on different visit scenarios:

1. Plans to attend 3 times:

  • Pay per visit cost: \( 3 \times 28 = 84 \)
  • Membership cost: \( 90 + (3 \times 15) = 90 + 45 = 135 \)

Best option for 3 visits: Pay per visit ($84) is cheaper.


2. Plans to visit 8 times:

  • Pay per visit cost: \( 8 \times 28 = 224 \)
  • Membership cost: \( 90 + (8 \times 15) = 90 + 120 = 210 \)

Best option for 8 visits: Membership ($210) is cheaper.


3. Budget of $150:

  • Pay per visit cost for a budget of 150:

    • Number of visits \( = \frac{150}{28} \approx 5.36 \), so 5 visits max.
    • Total cost for 5 visits: \( 5 \times 28 = 140 \)
  • Membership cost:

    • Tried until $150 budget: The maximum number of visits = \( 150 - 90 = 60 \) but only if cost is per visit \( 15 \), so \( \frac{60}{15} = 4 \times \)

Thus, you can buy membership and visit 4 times, the total cost is $90 + ($15 * 4) = $90 + $60 = $150 which exactly meets the budget.

Best option within the budget: Both memberships with 4 visits and pay-per-visit with 5 visits will fit in, so calculate which is ideal based on the visits assumed.


Break-even Point:

To find the break-even point, set the costs equal:

\[ 28n = 90 + 15n \]

Where \( n \) is the number of visits.

Solving for \( n \): \[ 28n - 15n = 90 \] \[ 13n = 90 \] \[ n \approx 6.92 \quad (or\ 7) \]

Therefore, the break-even point is approximately 7 visits.


Summary of options:

  • For 3 visits: Best option is pay per visit ($84).
  • For 8 visits: Best option is membership ($210).
  • For $150 budget: Both options can be made to fit but membership covers at least 4 visits.
  • Break-even point: Approximately 7 visits.