This lesson is from Tools for NC Teachers. Given a chart students solve problems about the information.

Part 1:

Two stores in Greensboro sell shirts and pants together in matching outfits.  In Store A, pants are half the cost of shirts.  In Store B, pants are $4 less than the cost of shirts.  Complete the tables below for each store.      

Part 2:

If a shirt costs $30, how much will the matching pants cost in each store?  

For each store, write an equation with a symbol to show your work.  Write a sentence explaining your strategy for finding the cost of the pants.

            Answers:  Store A:  $30 ÷ 2 = ?        Store B:  $30 - $4 = ?

                                   ? = $15                                     ? = $26

            Explanations should reflect the operations used to find the cost for each store.  Store   A should include dividing by 2 and Store B should include subtracting by 4.

Extensions: 

·  Where would you rather shop – Store A or Store B?  Explain why.

·  Is there a time when the pants at Store A and Store B would be sold for the same price?  Justify your answer.   (Answer:  Yes.  If the shirt cost $8, both sets of pants would be $4.) 

Is there a time when the pants at Store B would be cheaper than the pants at Store A?  Explain your reasoning.  (Answer:  Yes.  If the cost of the shirt is $4 or $6, then Store B would be cheaper.)