This task is from Tools for NC Teachers. Students evaluate a pile of the same type of bills by considering what happens when you multiply by a  multiple of 10. This is remixable.

Task preview

Value of the Bills

Part 1:

Gary said, “In my pocket I have 25 of the same amount of dollar bills.”  What is the value of Gary’s money if he has:

a)    25 one dollar bills?

b)    25 ten dollar bills?

c)     25 hundred dollar bills?

Part 2:

Gary reasoned, “The value of the 2 when I have ten dollar bills is 200, but the value of the 2 when I have one dollar bills is only 20.”  Is Gary correct?  Why or why not?

Part 3:

Consider Parts A, B, and C above.  If you had 260 of the same amount of dollar bills, what would the value of the bills be?  Explain how you found your answer.