Number of Months Cost ($)

Question

1 74
2 99
3 124
4 149
The table below shows the cost for a gym membership at the local fitness center with an initial start-up fee charged in the first month. Find the slope, or monthly cost.

$37.25
$37.25

$49
$49

$25
$25

$74

Answer 1

To find the monthly cost (slope), we can determine the change in cost over the change in months using the data provided.

From the table:

• For 1 month, the cost is $74.
• For 2 months, the cost is $99.
• For 3 months, the cost is $124.
• For 4 months, the cost is $149.

Now, let’s calculate the change in cost and the change in months between each consecutive month:

1. From month 1 to month 2:

   • Change in cost: $99 - $74 = $25
   • Change in months: 2 - 1 = 1
   • Slope = Change in cost / Change in months = $25 / 1 = $25

2. From month 2 to month 3:

   • Change in cost: $124 - $99 = $25
   • Change in months: 3 - 2 = 1
   • Slope = $25 / 1 = $25

3. From month 3 to month 4:

   • Change in cost: $149 - $124 = $25
   • Change in months: 4 - 3 = 1
   • Slope = $25 / 1 = $25

In all cases, the monthly cost is $25.

Therefore, the monthly cost (slope) is $25.