Tom is deciding whether or not he should become a member of the gym to use their basketball courts. The membership cost is $125. Members

of the gym are allowed to use the basketball courts for free, while non-members have to pay a fee of $10 each time they want to use the courts. Tom loves playing basketball and wants to play at least twice a month.

If Tom becomes a member, it will cost him $125 upfront, but he can use the basketball courts as often as he wants without any additional cost. If he doesn't become a member, he will have to pay $10 each time he wants to play.

Let's calculate the costs for both options:

Membership cost for Tom = $125
Non-member cost for Tom (playing twice a month for one year) = $10 x 2 x 12 = $240

In this case, it would be more cost-effective for Tom to become a member since the membership cost of $125 is lower than the non-member cost of $240 for playing twice a month for a year. Additionally, as a member, Tom can play basketball as often as he wants without incurring any extra expenses.

have access to the basketball courts and can use them for free during any available hours. Non-members, on the other hand, have to pay a fee of $10 per hour to use the courts.

In order to determine if becoming a member of the gym is worth it for Tom, we need to consider both the membership cost and the benefits he will receive.

Step 1: Determine the frequency of basketball court usage
Tom needs to evaluate how often he plans to use the basketball courts. If he intends to play multiple times a week or even daily, then the membership may be more worthwhile. On the other hand, if he only plans to use the courts occasionally or infrequently, then the membership may not be as valuable.

Step 2: Calculate the cost per use
Divide the membership cost by the number of times Tom expects to use the basketball courts within a specific period. For example, if the membership is valid for a year and Tom plans to play 50 times in that year, the cost per use would be $125 / 50 = $2.50 per visit.

Step 3: Compare the cost per use to alternative options
Tom could also explore alternative options, such as paying for individual court rentals or joining a different gym with basketball courts. He should research the prices of these alternatives and compare the costs per use to see if they are more or less expensive than the $2.50 per visit calculated in Step 2.

Step 4: Consider additional benefits
Membership at the gym may offer additional benefits beyond access to the basketball courts. For instance, Tom may also have access to other fitness equipment, classes, or facilities. These added benefits should also be taken into account when evaluating the value of the membership.

By following these steps, Tom can make an informed decision about whether or not becoming a member of the gym to use their basketball courts is worth it for him.