blog 3.5

Resource Number One

Math Blaster

·      I used to use this resource to learn math on the computer as a kid. Now users can play online or on app platforms. Math Blaster is owned by Jumpstart which is a renowned education product producing company.  The game utilizes mini games that test ones knowledge in math and science. Kids, like I once did, love the intergalactic space theme and the cool aliens and mutt creatures one can play as. A new feature that didn’t exist when I used to play is an interactive feature that players can socialize in the platform with other players. They can challenge one another in the game too. Games to play include B-Force Blaster, Monster Mutt Rescue, Oozami and Alien Wrangler.  The website says the game is appropriate for 3-12 year olds but I would say the more proper age range is 6-8. The child needs to read and comprehend what is going on. However, a child over the age of 8 may start to think the program is uncool and cheesy. The mini games, though, are gaged to what level you are at so which is nice so a large variety of people can play. Therefore,  I would recommend this computer game not for 3-12 but for ages 6-8.

Resource Number 2

Youtube or other video sharing platform

·       Learning can often be supplemented by online videos available on platforms such as Youtube. If a student does not fully understand a subject, from long division to  the second derivate, he or she has the capabilities to go online and watch more examples of similar problems. Any age range can use the videos on line which is the best part. Because there are a wide array of videos for most topics, then any child with internet connectivity permission can search to find what he or she needs help with.

Resource Number 3

MathOps

       Math Ops is an online Web-based Pre-Algebra and Algebra Instruction platform. It allows for students to take the course online with interactive lessons and tutors. It allows for students of all ages to pay for a course in lie of the traditional classroom setting. I would recommend this platform for students over 10 years old. Students should be responsible enough to manage their work and thus should be at leas 10 years old. The platform lets students who may be more gifted learn concepts before the allotted time in schools. It does, however, cost money for the user. 

     

   Resource 4

Statcrunch

        The final Math supplemental platform I would recommend is Stat Crunch. Statcrunch is an  online graphing and computing tool that helps users manipulate statically methods. I used statcruch as a freshman in college and found it appropriate for my grade level. Therefore, I would recommend that users of stat crunch be in high school or some level of higher education because there is little user help and guidance available. Much of it requires background knowledge and technological experience too!

Blog Post 3 - Patricio Barnuevo

Part 1
Spotluck is a new startup out of Bethesda, Maryland that helps connect local restaurants connect with customers looking for quality local eats. Spotluck is a mobile app that allows consumers to discover local restaurants and save money in a fun new way, through spins that point people in the direction of new local restaurants. The Spotluck app is free for people to download, but restaurants that sign up to be part of the Spotluck community pay a small fee for every customer that the app attracts to the restaurant. The company was started in 2013 and although they're only setup in DC, they have over 100 restaurants signed up. Spotluck mainly targets young DC citizens that have a larger disposable income, this is because they will be the most ideal customer at these restaurants (they will spend the most and return often).  Spotluck is on it's way to becoming the next big tech startup. 


Part 2
Fixed Costs (per month):
·      Advertising/Marketing Supplies: $1,250·      Rent: $4,250 (rent out common office space, therefore includes taxes and utilities)·      Staff: $19,500

·      Tech R&D: $1,100
TOTAL Fixed Costs - > $26,100

Variable Costs per unit*: 
·      App hosting: ~ $0.50
TOTAL Variable Costs - > $0.50

*there aren't any true variable costs with mobile applications, however the Spotluck team helped me estimate this number per app download 

Price:
The application is free, however the company makes $2.50 per app usage at a restaurant

Cost Function:
C(q) = 26,000 + .5q 

Revenue Function:
R(q )= 2.5q

Profit Function:
P(q) = 2.5q - (26,000 + .5q)

Break Even Point Value:
2.5q = 26,000 + .5q 
2q = 26,000
q = 13,000
After 13,000 uses of the app, the company will begin to make profits. 

Cost and Revenue Function Graph:

Red = Cost Function

Blue = Revenue Function

Break even point is 13,000

The breakeven point represents the point in which revenue and costs are equal, after this point profits can begin to be made. In terms of Spotluck, the breakeven point is at 13,000 uses and therefore will begin to make profits after that point. The cost function has a slower slope, or marginal cost, than the revenue function. However, because of fixed costs, the cost function begins higher on the y-axis and therefore there is a period of time in which profits aren't made despite marginal revenue being larger than marginal cost. 

Profit Function Graph: 

Red = Profit Function

Break even point is 13,000

The breakeven point on the profit function graph is the point in which the line passes the x axis, on this graph that point is at 13,000. The profit function graph essentially combines the cost and revenue graphs to create a single graph for people to understand the amount of money (profits) that a company can make at different quantities (downloads). 

Part 3

The Spotluck app sees about 300 uses a day, therefore it can be said that it produces 300 units a day. On a normal month, the app is used about 9,300 times a month.  Therefore q = 9,300

Red = Cost Function

Blue = Revenue Function

Black = Current Production level (9,300)

Marginal Cost:

C'(q) = .5

Average Cost:

26,000 + .5(9,300) / 9,300 = 3.29

Average cost per unit is $3.29 at 9,300 units

Red= Marginal cost (.5)

Blue = Average cost (3.29)

1)

The marginal revenue ($2.5) is larger than the marginal cost ($0.5). I figured this out by figuring out the marginal cost/revenue based of the respective functions

2)

The amount of units produced (9,300) currently is below the break even point (13,000). That indicates that this company is currently not making a profit. 

3)

Even if the company increased "quantity" by one unit per day, it would not breakeven or make a profit because increasing by one will not increase revenue by enough to match cost. 

o   R(q + 1) – R(q) and C(q + 1) – C(q)§  R(9301)-R(9300)·      23,252.5-23,250
·      2.5 in revenue
§  C(q + 1) – C(q)·      (26,000 + .5(9301)) - (26,000 + .5(9300))
·      30,650.5-30,650
o   .5 in cost

4)
At q=n, an increase in production will decrease average cost because it will lessen the effects of the initial fixed costs on the overall production costs.

5)
When average costs increase, it cuts into revenue and therefore reduces profits. Therefore it is always best for a company to decrease average costs.

Part 4

1/2)
Although Spotluck is currently struggling to create profits, I believe their excited new app combined with their innovative marketing efforts will lead to the company to continue to grow to the point in which it become profitable. Spot Luck has grown tremendously in the past couple of years, and every day it is reaching new customers. In the next five years, the company will probably have expanded beyond just offering their services in DC and therefore have grown enough to reach the user volume to pass the break even point. What makes the company so desirable is that an offers a free service that is very attractive to a young professional, an individual who has disposable income to use at restaurants and who is still curious to explore new areas of cities.