Math Unit rate worksheet: Wrangler's Steakhouse

Unit Rate Worksheet

 

     Below is an example of a unit rate worksheet that we used in class this past year. Our goal was to create a worksheet that included the following elements:

1. Finding basic unit rates
2. Calculate total amounts using unit rates
3. Had some connection with the business world
4. Use business terms
5. Required multiple steps
6. A few twist that would require students to think out the problem
7.  Able to use as individuals or small groups

 

           

      Wrangler’s Steakhouse is having a weekend T-bone dinner special.  This weekend you can buy a T-bone steak, baked potato, green beans and a drink for just $25. 

 

            The manager of the Steakhouse purchased the following items for the dinner:

·         150 T-bone steaks for $787.50

·         5 bags of potatoes (30 potatoes in each bag) for $127.50

·         75 pounds of green beans for $45

·         Thirteen 12 packs of soda pop cans for $85.80

Each customer that ordered the special received one steak, one baked potato, ½ pound of green beans, and one can of soda pop.

 

Find the Unit rates (show work) that the Steakhouse paid for the following items:

·         Cost per steak

·         Cost per potato

·         Cost per pound of green beans

 

·         Cost per can of pop

 

What was the total expense per meal for the steakhouse?

 

What is the profit on each meal for the steakhouse?

 

If 80 people order the T-bone special on Friday what is the total profit for the evening for the Steakhouse?




Todd Hawk is a middle school math teacher and the co-founder of the Land of Math website (www.landofmath.com). You can reach him at landofmath2@gmail.com or follow him on twitter: @landofmath2
 

Four Methods for Adding Fractions

Four Methods for Adding Fractions

 

     One of the greatest struggles for a middle school math teacher is helping your students understand fractions.  One of the reasons for this struggle is that students have a hard time visualizing fractions being added. (Another reason is our inability to do basic multiplication - but that is a different story).  In this article we are looking at four different ways to teach adding fractions.

 

 

Method #1 -  The Traditional Stacking Method

     This is the method that most of us were taught add fractions.  It requires that students understand multiples which can be a struggle for some of our students. 

 

 

Step one

 

    The first method (and probably the most common) is stacking the two fractions you are adding and then finding the common denominator.  In the example above we are adding 3/5 + 1/4.  One method of finding a Common Denominator is to find the multiples of both denominators and circle the smallest number shared (least common).  Another method to multiply the two denominators (5 x 4).  This will also give you a common denominator (but, it may not be the least common)

 

Step two

 

     Create a proportion using the common denominator (the number 20 in orange in picture above).

 

 

Step three

 

 

 

     The next method is to solve the proportion to find the numerator.  Our preferred method is to cross multiply (20 x 3) and then divide by 5 which gives us 12 as our new numerator. (The other proportion equals 5). See example above.

 

 

Step four

 

 



 

 

     The final step is to add up the numerators (12 + 5 = 17) and to keep the common numerator (20).  The answer to 3/5 + 1/4 = 19/20

 

Method #2 -  The Grid Method 

      This is a nice way to visualize adding fractions.  All it requires is a sheet of paper, a couple of markers/highlighters, and something to place on the grid such as chips/blocks.  It only takes a couple of minutes to set up and all the students can participate.

Fractions: Subtracting fractions using grids

 

Using Grids to Subtract Fractions

 

    

  Every year one of our greatest struggles is teaching students to subtract fractions.  There are a variety of reasons for this.  Weak basic skills, following multiple steps and in general a bad attitude about all things dealing with fractions.  We believe that one of the biggest struggles for students is the inability to visualize how fractions interact with each other.

 

     The solution for us was to teach fractions using a grid system.  We originally started using this with our math intervention students (see http://thelandofmath.blogspot.com/2013/06/our-middle-school-math-intervention.html).  We later expanded its use in our regular classes with positive results.

     The benefits of the grid system:

• Very inexpensive
• Just paper, a couple of markers or highlighters, and some blocks or chips
• It is hands on
• It is visual
• You can work individually, with partners or in small groups
• Set up time is short and requires minimal effort
• Easy to model on white board or smart board
• This lesson compliments our lessons on adding fractions and equivalent fractions (see http://thelandofmath.blogspot.com/2013/10/teaching-equivalent-fractions-using.html).

     We usually focus on fractions with denominators ranging from two (2) to eight (8).  We use this range of numbers because of ease of use, but you can go as crazy as you want.

Step one

     Give the students a subtraction problem such as 1/3 - 1/4.  Have the students draw four (4) columns with one of the markers. and three rows with another color. The four columns and 3 rows are the two denominators we are using. We like to use different color markers to help students see the fourths and the thirds on the grid.

Step two

     Have the students fill in 1/3 of the grid (4 of the 12 spaces) with one color of chips/blocks (red chips below).  Next, have the students use a different color chip (green below) to fill in 1/4 of the grid.