The Gas Station Problem

Every driver recognizes the fluctuations in gas prices that happen almost on a weekly basis. In many areas, local radio stations have special reports on the location of the gas station with the lowest price per gallon for regular gas. Of course, that station is likely to be across town from where you are driving.

Is it worth the drive across town for less expensive gas? If you know the locations and the prices at all gasoline stations, at which station should you buy your gas? How can students go about answering this question? This edition of Everybody's Problems will consider the process students can go through to develop a model for this situation.