February 2011
Problem of the Month

Tuition Increase

In the Fall of 2010, Colorado University announced tentative increases in tuition for the following years:
2011     9.5%
2012     9%
2013     9%
2014     9%
2015     9%

The reporter stated that it was nearly a 50% increase in tuition over the next five years.   What would the actual increase in tuition be from 2010 to 2015?

Solution to the Problem:

The answer is 54.57%.

Let x = tuition at C.U. in 2010.
Then 1.095x = tuition in 2011.
Then 1.09 times 1.095x = 1.19355x = tuition in 2012.
Then 1.30096x = tuition in 2013.
Then 1.418050x = tuition in 2014.
Then 1.54568x = tuition in 2015.

Correctly solved by:

1. James Alarie	Flint, Michigan
2. John Funk	Ventura, California
3. Steven R. Muller	Clear Brook Territory, Virginia
4. David & Judy Dixon	Bennettsville, South Carolina
5. Hazen Dickerson	Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming

Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher