Grocery Shopping By The Numbers: 21st Century Skills Library

Grocery shopping is a task that most people have to do on a regular basis. But did you know that there are actually a lot of math skills involved in grocery shopping? In this article, we will explore some of the math skills that are used in grocery shopping and how you can use them to save money and make healthier choices.

Grocery Shopping by the Numbers (21st Century Skills Library: Real World Math)

by Cecilia Minden

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8384 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	32 pages

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1. Unit pricing

One of the most important math skills to use when grocery shopping is unit pricing. Unit pricing is the price of a product per unit of measure, such as per ounce or per pound. This information can be found on the price tag of most products. By comparing the unit prices of different products, you can find the best deal.

For example, let's say you are trying to decide between two different brands of cereal. The first brand is 12 ounces and costs $3.00. The second brand is 16 ounces and costs $4.00. To compare the unit prices, you would divide the price by the number of ounces. The unit price of the first brand is $3.00 / 12 ounces = $0.25 per ounce. The unit price of the second brand is $4.00 / 16 ounces = $0.25 per ounce. So, the two brands have the same unit price. You could choose either brand and get the same value for your money.

2. Coupons

Another math skill that can be used to save money on groceries is using coupons. Coupons are discounts that can be applied to the purchase of certain products. When using coupons, it is important to compare the unit prices of the products with and without the coupon to make sure that you are actually getting a good deal.

For example, let's say you have a coupon for $1.00 off a box of cereal. The cereal is on sale for $3.00. Without the coupon, the unit price of the cereal is $3.00 / 12 ounces = $0.25 per ounce. With the coupon, the unit price of the cereal is ($3.00 - $1.00) / 12 ounces = $0.17 per ounce. So, the coupon saves you $0.08 per ounce. This is a good deal, so you should use the coupon.

3. Sales

Sales are another way to save money on groceries. When a product is on sale, it is typically discounted below its regular price. It is important to compare the unit prices of products on sale with the unit prices of the same products when they are not on sale to make sure that you are actually getting a good deal.

For example, let's say a gallon of milk is on sale for $2.00. The regular price of a gallon of milk is $3.00. The unit price of the milk on sale is $2.00 / 1 gallon = $2.00 per gallon. The unit price of the milk when it is not on sale is $3.00 / 1 gallon = $3.00 per gallon. So, the sale saves you $1.00 per gallon. This is a good deal, so you should take advantage of the sale.

4. Budgeting

Budgeting is an important skill for managing your finances. When you budget, you plan how you will spend your money each month. This can help you to avoid overspending and to reach your financial goals.

When budgeting for groceries, it is important to track your expenses. This will help you to see how much you are spending on groceries each month and where you can cut back. There are many different ways to track your expenses, such as using a spreadsheet or a budgeting app. Once you have tracked your expenses for a few months, you will be able to see where you can save money.

5. Making healthy choices

In addition to saving money, you can also use math skills to make healthier choices when grocery shopping. For example, you can compare the nutritional information of

Grocery Shopping by the Numbers (21st Century Skills Library: Real World Math)

by Cecilia Minden

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8384 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	32 pages

FREE