April 2015
Problem of the Month

Coke Zero Part 2



As you may remember from December, Mr. P is a Coke Zero drinker.   Since then, a Costco Store opened in Northern Colorado and has given Mr. P more options for buying his drink.   Here are the five options that he has:

Costco sells thirty-two 12-ounce cans for $9.69.
King Soopers (our Kroger) sells four 12 packs of 12 ounce cans for $11.00 (on sale).
Other times, King Soopers sells four 12 packs of 12 ounce cans for $12.00.
King Soopers also sells 2 liter bottles of Coke Zero for 88 cents (on sale).
Other times, King Soopers sells a 2 liter bottle for 99 cents.

Please help Mr. P figure out the best buy, ordering his five choices from best to worst (and showing the cost per ounce!)



Solution to the Problem:

BEST BUY: King Soopers 2 liter bottle for 88 cents:     67.6 ounces for 88 cents = 1.30 cents per ounce
2nd CHOICE: King Soopers 2 liter bottle for 99 cents:     67.6 ounces for 99 cents = 1.46 cents per ounce
3rd CHOICE: King Soopers 12 cans for 11 dollars:     576 ounces for $11 = 1.91 cents per ounce
4th CHOICE: King Soopers 12 cans for 12 dollars:     576 ounces for $12 = 2.08 cents per ounce
WORST CHOICE: COSTCO 32 cans for $9.69:     384 ounces for $9.69 = 2.52 cents per ounce

This month, COSTCO started selling Coke Zero in cartons of 35 cans for $10.99.   There was much ado about NEW SIZE!!   But when I got home and figured out the cost, it was 2.62 cents per ounce which is even worse than their previous price for 32 cans!



Correctly solved by:

1. James Alarie Flint, Michigan
2. Kayle Rippetoe Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
3. Keith Mealy Cincinnati, Ohio
4. Levi Hanney Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
5. Kiley Case Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
6. Aiden Anderson Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
7. Bailey Lupher Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
8. Michael Reilly Silver Spring, Maryland
9. Hannah Stoddard Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming


Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher