One of the most common, everyday applications of math is dealing with money. This single problem calculating how much change Margie receives is more involved than it appears at first glance. An understanding of how fractions and decimals...

A fine lesson plan on saving and investing is here for you and your middle schoolers. In it, learners explore the values of time and money, and discover how small amounts of money invested over time can grow into a large "pot of gold."...

Young scholars examine coins from around the world and write down their observations. As a class, they discuss the types of symbols used on the coins from different countries and locate the country on a map. To end the lesson, they...

Could you carry a million dollars in $1 bills? As a middle school assessment task, learners investigate different questions regarding a million dollars. They then determine how long it would take to make a million dollars, how...

What is it worth to you? A hands-on lesson plan asks groups to collect weights of different combinations of coins and calculate weighted averages. They use the analysis to understand the concept of an isotope to finish the third lesson...

Fifth graders share the book, "The Story of Money" and discuss the uses of money, bartering, trade and the history of money. Students discuss various ways of spending: cash, check, debit/credit cards and review the check writing process....

Explore the concept of money and research its origin. There are many concepts related to business math, thusly, there are many formulas used to make calculations around money. Exchange rates of money in different countries, interest,...

Many organizations put on barbecues in order to make money. In a real-world math problem, the money allotted to purchase steak and chicken at this barbecue is only one hundred dollars. It is up to your potential chefs to figure out how...

Make a connection between different types of interest and how they are calculated! This algebra II lesson progresses from simple interest to compound interest to continually compounded interest. Formulas are developed rather than given,...

Looking for an application for step functions? This activity uses real data to examine piecewise step functions. Groups create a list of data from varying scenarios and create a model to use to make recommendations to increase...

Students investigate percents and interest. In this algebra activity, students invest money in a bank account and calculate the interest rate they receive over time. They convert percents to decimals and solve problems using percents.

How much money is enough money? Future wage earners explore the minimum hourly wage and then use it to calculate monthly and yearly earnings. They use an interactive to consider living costs and determine whether earning a minimum wage...

Agriculture surrounds us every day; incorporate measuring tools into a study of Oklahoma's agricultural industry! Small groups read an informational text (included) before visiting stations where they investigate prices of various...

Challenge young mathematicians to buy classroom supplies by staying within the means of a $1,000 budget. The mathematical activity provides learners with the opportunity to decide what items from the supply list would benefit a class of...

Students investigate currency and exchange rates.  In the middle school mathematics lesson, students use ratio and proportion to convert from one type of currency to another.  Students solve problems involving currency exchange.

Would you rather have a bowl of dimes or a bowl of quarters? A video introduces the problem by presenting two bowls, one full of quarters and another full of dimes. Learners use information from a CoinStar receipt to calculate the number...

Math scholars investigate the cost of living in Hong Kong compared to Chicago but must first convert the different types of currency. They then choose a type of graph to compare different spending categories and finish the activity by...

Am I making any money? Help learners determine if their fictitious soda stand is turning a profit. They graph linear equations using the slope and y-intercept and identify the best price to use to sell soda. They identify the domain and...

Students define human capital and income earning potential. In this algebra lesson plan, students analyze the relationship between income and capital resources. They calculate tax rates and understand how to read a tax table.

It's never too early to start saving for retirement. In fact, the earlier one starts, the better! Use this retirement planning activity to teach the importance of a retirement strategy and why to start at a young age. 

Middle schoolers apply properties of probability to the real world. In this probability lesson, learners simulate the construction of empirical distribution. They collect and analyze data using central tendencies.

As the saying goes, a penny saved is a penny earned. Young scholars use a penny activity to earn their way to an understanding of volume. Given three different-sized cylindrical containers, individuals make calculations to determine the...

Students estimate the thickness of coins. In this stack up lesson, students stack pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. They calculate and record the thickness of each coin. Students stack coins and estimate the height of the stack.

Students study the basic economic trilogy (scarcity, choice, and costs). For this money management lesson, students use a scenario of a High School Prom to calculate how scarcity, choice and cost apply by completing provided worksheets...