Max Maths, Year 5, Learn together, Word problems (1)

In a Year 5 mathematics lesson focused on solving word problems, students are presented with a real-world scenario involving division and decision-making. Han and Jade are at the supermarket, faced with a choice between two deals for buying oranges: one offering 2 oranges for 34 cents and another offering 3 oranges for 45 cents. The task for the students is to determine which option provides better value for money. To solve this, they must calculate the cost per orange for each deal.

The first step is to figure out the price per orange in the bag of 2. By dividing the total cost of the bag (34 cents) by the number of oranges it contains (2), students find that each orange costs 17 cents. Next, they turn to the bag of 3 oranges. To find the cost per orange here, they divide 45 cents by 3. This division problem can be approached by grouping, and the result is that each orange in this bag costs 15 cents. After comparing the two prices, it becomes clear that the oranges are cheaper when bought in bags of 3, offering a practical application of division in determining the most economical purchase.