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.

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?

1 answer

To determine the best option for visiting the amusement park based on your plans, let's analyze the costs for both scenarios.

  1. Cost per Visit:

    • If you pay $28 per visit, for 3 visits, the cost would be: \[ 3 \times 28 = 84 \]
    • Membership option: $90 membership + (3 visits × $15 per visit): \[ 90 + (3 \times 15) = 90 + 45 = 135 \]
    • Best option for 3 visits: Pay per visit ($84) is better than the membership ($135).
  2. For 8 visits:

    • Cost without membership: \[ 8 \times 28 = 224 \]
    • Cost with membership: \[ 90 + (8 \times 15) = 90 + 120 = 210 \]
    • Best option for 8 visits: Membership ($210) is better than the pay per visit option ($224).
  3. Budget of $150:

    • If you choose to pay per visit: \[ x \times 28 \leq 150 \implies x \leq \frac{150}{28} \approx 5.36 \implies 5 \text{ visits} \]
      • Cost for 5 visits with pay per visit: \[ 5 \times 28 = 140 \]
    • Cost with membership: \[ 90 + (x \times 15) \leq 150 \implies 15x \leq 60 \implies x \leq 4 \]
      • Cost for 4 visits with membership: \[ 90 + (4 \times 15) = 90 + 60 = 150 \]
    • Best option with a budget of $150: Membership is equal to your budget for 4 visits, while pay per visit gives you 5 visits at $140, which is better.
  4. Break-even point:

    • Let \( x \) be the number of visits at which both costs are equal: \[ 28x = 90 + 15x \] \[ 28x - 15x = 90 \] \[ 13x = 90 \] \[ x \approx \frac{90}{13} \approx 6.92 \]
    • Therefore, the break-even point is approximately 7 visits.

Summary:

  • For 3 visits, best option: Pay per visit ($84).
  • For 8 visits, best option: Membership ($210).
  • For a budget of $150, best option: Pay per visit for 5 visits ($140) vs membership for 4 visits ($150).
  • The break-even point is approximately 7 visits.