In the fall, Jay Thompson decided to live in a university dormitory. He signed a dorm contract under which he was obligated to pay the room rent for the full college year. One clause stated that if he moved out during the year, he could sell his dorm contract to another student who would move into the dormitory as his replacement. The dorm cost was $2000 for the two semesters, which Jay had already paid.
A month after he moved into the dorm, he decided he would prefer to live in an apartment. That week, after some searching for a replacement to fulfill his dorm contract, Jay had two offers. One student offered to move in immediately and to pay Jay $100 per month for the eight remaining months of the school year. A second student offered to move in the second' semester and pay $700 to Jay.
Jay estimates his food cost per month is $300 if he lives in the dorm and $250 if he lives in an apartment with three other students. His share of the apartment rent and utilities will be $200 per month. Assume each semester is 41/2months long. Disregard the small differences in the timing of the disbursements or receipts.
(a) What are the three alternatives available to Jay?
(b) Evaluate the cost for each of the alternatives.
(c) What do you recommend that Jay do?