Train ticket issues
A return train ticket from London to Oxford costs £15. A single ticket in one direction costs £9.
A group of 4 friends want to travel from London to Oxford and back.
What is the cheapest way for them to buy tickets, and how much will it cost in total?
Hint: They can buy a mix of single and return tickets if it helps.
Let’s compare options:
ReplyDeleteOption 1: All 4 buy return tickets
Each return ticket = £15
Total = 4 × £15 = £60
Option 2: All 4 buy two single tickets each (there and back)
Each person: 2 × £9 = £18
Total = 4 × £18 = £72
(This is more expensive)
Option 3: Mix return and single tickets
Let’s say 2 friends buy return tickets:
2 × £15 = £30
The other 2 friends buy single tickets one way (e.g. going) and share the return part of the return tickets with the first 2 friends.
This is not allowed, as return tickets are not transferable.
So mixing only works if it's per person, not shared.
Since tickets can’t be shared, we go back to comparing per person.
Best per person cost:
Return = £15
Two singles = £18
So the return ticket is cheaper for each person.
Conclusion:
The cheapest way is for all 4 friends to buy return tickets.
Each return ticket costs £15
Total cost = 4 × £15 = £60
Final Answer:
They should all buy return tickets.
Total cost: £60