The Process
Follow the steps below to determine the better deal and to see if you will have any spending money at the concert.
STEP 1: Determine the number of miles from the city where you live (e.g., Snellville, GA) to Orlando, FL and then back to the city where you live using mapquest.com or maps.google.com. Round to the nearest mile.
STEP 2: Research the cost of renting a vehicle from Enterprise Rent-A-Car including any fees, excess miles, etc. based on the parameters listed in the "Comparison Parameters" section below. Record your answers on the Data Worksheet.
STEP 3: Research the cost of using a ZipCar including excess miles based on the parameters listed in the "Comparison Parameters" section below. Please note that your parents have a membership to ZipCar, so they've already paid the application and annual fees. Record your answers on the Data Worksheet. To find the make & model of the available cars, select the "Find Cars" link on the home page of the website.
STEP 4: Research and compare fuel costs for the vehicles you selected based on the following. Record your answers on the Data Worksheet.
Comparison Parameters
Calculations
The equation used to determine total vehicle costs is a combined set of linear equations in the form Y = mx + b
Total cost = rental cost + excess miles cost + fuel costs + any additional fees
STEP 1: Determine the number of miles from the city where you live (e.g., Snellville, GA) to Orlando, FL and then back to the city where you live using mapquest.com or maps.google.com. Round to the nearest mile.
STEP 2: Research the cost of renting a vehicle from Enterprise Rent-A-Car including any fees, excess miles, etc. based on the parameters listed in the "Comparison Parameters" section below. Record your answers on the Data Worksheet.
STEP 3: Research the cost of using a ZipCar including excess miles based on the parameters listed in the "Comparison Parameters" section below. Please note that your parents have a membership to ZipCar, so they've already paid the application and annual fees. Record your answers on the Data Worksheet. To find the make & model of the available cars, select the "Find Cars" link on the home page of the website.
STEP 4: Research and compare fuel costs for the vehicles you selected based on the following. Record your answers on the Data Worksheet.
- Fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (mpg). Assume the model year is 2011 and that you will use the "Combined" mpg column.
- Gas cost (i.e., the cost of gas per gallon). Assume that the gas prices in Orlando are the same as in Atlanta.
- Fuel costs = (total # miles / fuel efficiency) x gas cost per gallon
Comparison Parameters
- You will pick up from & return the vehicle to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
- A total of 3 people will be in the vehicle
- You need the rental vehicle for a total of 48 hours (12 p.m. Friday – 12 p.m. Sunday)
- You do not have a coupon or discount code
- You will not purchase additional insurance from the agency
Calculations
The equation used to determine total vehicle costs is a combined set of linear equations in the form Y = mx + b
- Rental Cost: cost per day x # days
- Excess Miles Cost: cost per excess mile x # excess miles
- Fuel Cost: (total # miles / fuel efficiency) x gas cost per gallon
Total cost = rental cost + excess miles cost + fuel costs + any additional fees