standard_description: Apply concepts of density based on area and volume in modeling situations (e.g., persons per square mile, BTUs per cubic foot).
problem_activity: Activity
In this activity, students are given a percent increase and use it to calculate the new value, rather than being given the original and new values to calculate the percent increase. Students can solve the problems using the double number lines but the discussion that follows will be the connection to what the words specifically mean (MP6).
As students work, monitor for students who complete the double number line diagram and any student that uses other methods to correctly reason about the problem.
Launch
Arrange students in groups of 2. Give students 5 minutes of quiet work time followed by partner then whole-class discussion.
Student Facing
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A cereal box says that now it contains 20% more. Originally, it came with 18.5 ounces of cereal. How much cereal does the box come with now?
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The price of a shirt is \$18.50, but you have a coupon that lowers the price by 20%. What is the price of the shirt after using the coupon?
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Student Response
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Anticipated Misconceptions
Have students use the double number line diagram if they need help figuring out 20% more.
Activity Synthesis
Select students to share their reasoning for each problem. Start with a student that used the double number line diagram to solve the problem. Then, have students share other methods they used to solve the problem, such as multiplying by 1.2 and 0.8.
Ask students:
Did the number of ounces of cereal in the cereal box increase or decrease?
What percentage of the original amount of cereal is the new amount of cereal?
Did the price of the shirt increase or decrease?
What percentage of the original price of the shirt is the new price of the shirt?
Tell students that the change on the cereal box is an example of a
percent increase
. The discount on the shirt is an example of a
percent decrease
. You might want to mention that in both cases, 100% always corresponds to the original amount before the change; however, future activities will address this concept in depth.
Representation: Develop Language and Symbols.
Create a display of important terms and vocabulary. Invite students to suggest language or diagrams to include that will support their understanding of percent increase and percent decrease.
Supports accessibility for: Conceptual processing; Language
Writing: MLR3 Clarify, Critique, Correct.
Before students share their reasoning for each problem, present an incomplete strategy for finding the discount price for the shirt. For example, “The discount is 20%, so the price of the shirt is $3.70.” Ask students to critique the reasoning, and work with a partner to write an improved explanation. Listen for and amplify the language students use to make sense of what is displayed (e.g., “I think they ___ because ____.”), as well as the mathematical language that students use that strengthen their explanations. This will support student understanding of mathematical language related percent increase and percent decrease.
Design Principle(s): Maximize meta-awareness


aligns: no