Complete Class with Conditional Pricing

Pricing problems are a classic AP FRQ. The class holds state (item type, quantity, member status); the pricing method uses an if/else if ladder to compute the right cost.

This pattern combines complete-class design with tiered conditional logic and sometimes boolean surcharges or discounts.

On the AP exam, pricing FRQs appear in shop/membership/ticket scenarios.

Membership class

public class Membership {
    private String level;        // "bronze", "silver", "gold"
    private boolean isStudent;

    public Membership(String level, boolean isStudent) {
        this.level = level;
        this.isStudent = isStudent;
    }

    public double monthlyCost() {
        double base;
        if (level.equals("gold")) base = 50;
        else if (level.equals("silver")) base = 30;
        else base = 15;            // bronze

        double discount = isStudent ? 5 : 0;
        return base - discount;
    }

    public String getLevel() { return level; }
    public void upgrade(String newLevel) { this.level = newLevel; }
}

The base cost comes from a three-tier ladder. The student discount is a simple boolean adjustment. Total returned in one step.

Pattern recap

• Determine base via tiered if/else.
• Apply surcharge or discount.
• Combine and return.