How Much Will I Spend on Gas? Lesson Plan Information | Lesson Plan Activities | Printable version (including handouts) (PDF)

Standard: Use Math to Solve Problems and Communicate Outcomes The students will use the current and future price of gasoline to construct T-charts, write algebraic equations, and plot the equations on a graph.

Classroom Information

GED Descriptors:      social studies , math, science Roles:      Family, Worker, Community Member Program Type(s)      ABE, GED, Family Literacy, Workforce Education, Urban, Rural, Corrections NRS Learner levels (ABE/GED)       3, 4, 5, 6 Time frame:       Two 90 minute classes or one 3 hour class Technology Integration Cars and mpg 1985-2009 Calculate mpg Graph paper with T-chart

Keywords

select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword Math > chart/figure reading Math > graphs Math Math > budgeting Math > money

Standard: Use Math to Solve Problems and Communicate

Component of Performance How activity addresses component Understand, interpret, and work with pictures, numbers, and symbolic information. Students will work with basic operations and patterns to complete a T-chart. Students will construct a graph and plot points on it. Apply knowledge of mathematical concepts and procedures to figure out how to answer a question, solve a problem, make a prediction, or carry out a task that has a mathematical dimension Students will use problem solving to determine how to figure out their monthly gas cost. Define and select data to be used in solving the problem Students will determine appropriate intervals on the x and y axes of the graph. Determine the degree of precision required by the situation Students will round the number when necessary to plot the points on the graph. Solve problem using appropriate quantitative procedures and verify the results are reasonable Students will recognize if a data set is not reasonable by observing the other data sets and observing the points on the graph (is it on the line?) Communicate results using a variety of mathematical representations, including graphs, charts, tables, and algebraic models Students will communicate the results of the data by constructing a graph, T-chart, algebraic formula and in writing.

Purposeful, Transparent, Building Expertise

Purposeful and Transparent The activity addresses the student goal of finding their monthly and yearly costs of gasoline. Contextual The activity looks at the fuel costs of automobiles, a very important issue today. Building Expertise The lesson gives the students practice basic graphing and equation development to prepare of more advanced problems.

Lesson Designer Paula Mullet OLRC Math Consultant prmullet@att.net

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