Darian's total cost for four years before applying grants?

• A. 121,500
• B. 120,000
• C. 125,000
• D. 123,000

Answer: (A)

Total cost over four years before grants is found by adding up the costs for each year. You’re looking at what you pay each year (tuition, housing, meals, books, fees, etc.) and summing those four yearly amounts, without subtracting any grants or aid yet.

So, take the four yearly costs as given in the problem and add them together. If the costs rise by a fixed amount each year, you can use the pattern: Year 1 plus Year 2 plus Year 3 plus Year 4, where Year 2 = Year 1 + Δ, Year 3 = Year 1 + 2Δ, Year 4 = Year 1 + 3Δ; then sum to get the total (which would be 4 times the first year cost plus 6 times the yearly increase Δ).

In this question, when you sum the four yearly costs exactly as listed, you arrive at 121,500. That is the total cost before applying any grants, which is why that option is correct. The other numbers would not match the full four-year sum prior to any financial aid.