Students have been learning about percents for the last few weeks. First, students discussed what percents are and how they are related to fractions. Next, students used their previous knowledge of proportions and their understanding that percents are out of 100 to set up proportions and solve proportions to answer questions involving percents. In addition to using fractions and proportions to answer questions about percents, students learned how to convert percents to decimals. Using all that they had learned about percents, students were ready to apply their understanding to real life situations. Students used percents to determine costs of items after tax, tip, discounts, and markups. They also learned about simple interest, and used it to determine how much money would be in an account after a given amount of time based on how much interest it earned.
To demonstrate their understanding of percent applications, students completed a project in which they used their knowledge of percents to determine the total cost of a meal including tax and tip. Students created menus for their family members to order from. Students determined the total cost of their family's meal before tax and tip, and then found the total after 6% tax and an 18% tip. Here are their finished projects:
To demonstrate their understanding of percent applications, students completed a project in which they used their knowledge of percents to determine the total cost of a meal including tax and tip. Students created menus for their family members to order from. Students determined the total cost of their family's meal before tax and tip, and then found the total after 6% tax and an 18% tip. Here are their finished projects: