Question

Ben bought one share of stock for $50. He watched the price of his stock every day for a week. On Monday, the stock moved 2.0 points up. On Tuesday, it moved 1.50 points down. On Wednesday, it moved p points. On Thursday and Friday, the stock moved 1.00 point up each day. If the price of the stock was $55 at the end of the week, what is the value of p
2.5 points, down
2.5 points, up
2.25 points, up
2.25 points, down

Answer 1

To determine the value of \( p \), we can set up an equation based on the movements of the stock during the week.

1. Ben bought the stock for $50.
2. On Monday, the stock moved up by 2.0 points:
\[
50 + 2.0 = 52.0
\]
3. On Tuesday, it moved down by 1.50 points:
\[
52.0 - 1.50 = 50.5
\]
4. On Wednesday, it moved \( p \) points:
\[
50.5 + p
\]
5. On Thursday, it moved up by 1.00 point:
\[
(50.5 + p) + 1.0 = 51.5 + p
\]
6. On Friday, it moved up by another 1.00 point:
\[
(51.5 + p) + 1.0 = 52.5 + p
\]

At the end of the week, the price of the stock is $55. Therefore, we can set up the equation:
\[
52.5 + p = 55
\]

Now, solve for \( p \):
\[
p = 55 - 52.5 = 2.5
\]

Since the figure must represent a movement in the stock price, we determine if it's up or down. Given that the stock increased over the week and ended at $55, \( p \) must be an increase.

Thus, the value of \( p \):
- 2.5 points, up.

Therefore, the final answer is:
**2.5 points, up.**