standard_description: Solve multi-step real-life and mathematical problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals), using tools strategically. Apply properties of operations to calculate with numbers in any form; convert between forms as appropriate; and assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies. For example: If a woman making $25 an hour gets a 10% raise, she will make an additional 1/10 of her salary an hour, or $2.50, for a new salary of $27.50. If you want to place a towel bar 9 3/4 inches long in the center of a door that is 27 1/2 inches wide, you will need to place the bar about 9 inches from each edge; this estimate can be used as a check on the exact computation.
problem_activity: Problem 1
In a 30-minute television show, 12 minutes of the airtime are spent on commercials.
a.   Draw a visual representation of the problem.
b.   Determine what percent of the television show’s airtime is spent on commercials. Choose any strategy.
c.   Find a peer who used a different strategy to solve than you did. Compare and discuss your strategies and solutions.
Problem 2
Cole and Jamie are raising money for the annual Walk for Hunger in their city. They each have a goal to raise $250. So far, Cole has raised $150 and Jamie has raised $180.
a.   What percent of their goal did each boy raise so far?
b.   What is the amount that Cole raised as a percent of the amount Jamie raised?
c.   What is the amount Jamie raised as a percent of the amount Cole raised?
Problem 3
At a middle school, 480 students in sixth through eighth grade responded to a survey that asked them what their favorite season was. The circle graph below shows some of the data from the survey.
Student Survey “Favorite Season”
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a.   How many students chose spring as their favorite season?
b.   What percent of students chose summer as their favorite season?
c.   In just the sixth-grade class, 28 students chose winter as their favorite season. This was 20% of the sixth grade. How many students are in the sixth grade at this school?


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