Three algebra problems

1

a. Use the numbers shown in the bar graph below to find the total cost of tuition and fees at public colleges for a four year period from the school year ending in 2007 through the school year ending in 2010.

(Hint: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj-hAf94MH4)

b. The model an = 395n + 5419 describes the cost of tuition and fees at public colleges in academic year n, where n = 1 corresponds to the school year ending in 2007, n = 2 to the school year ending in 2008, and so on.

1) Use this model and the formula for Sn to find the total cost of tuition and fees at public colleges for a four-year period from the school year ending in 2007 through the school year ending in 2010.

2) How does this compare with the actual sum you obtained in part (a)?

Hint:

Average Cost of Tuition and Fees at Four-Year United States Colleges

Public Institutions

2007 2008 2009 2010 5836 6185 6585 7020 Private Institutions

22,218

23,712

25,143

26,273

2007 2008 2009 2010 22218 23712 25143 26273

Ending Year in the School Year

Tuition and Fees