#1 - Brendan gambles while on a trip to see the Blue Jays
Brendan went to Toronto to see a Blue Jays game. He had $650.00 for the trip. It cost him $40.00 for his ticket to the game, $216.00 to stay 2 nights at a hotel, $329.00 for his flight and $29.00 for food. He met a man on Young Street who was running a small casino. Brendan bet $5.00 in Black Jack and won an amount of money that was triple what he had left after making the bet. He spent half of this at the ball game. How much money did Brendan take home?
Hint: He had 31 dollars left after making the bet.
Answer: [$750 - (216 + 100 + 40 + 329 - 5)] 3/2 = $90.00
Brendan went to Toronto to see a Blue Jays game. He had $650.00 for the trip. It cost him $40.00 for his ticket to the game, $216.00 to stay 2 nights at a hotel, $329.00 for his flight and $29.00 for food. He met a man on Young Street who was running a small casino. Brendan bet $5.00 in Black Jack and won an amount of money that was triple what he had left after making the bet. He spent half of this at the ball game. How much money did Brendan take home?
Hint: He had 31 dollars left after making the bet.
Answer: [$750 - (216 + 100 + 40 + 329 - 5)] 3/2 = $90.00
I like that this problem provides a hint. It also tries to be interesting by talking about baseball and gambling. I find the gambling a bit risque given that they are grade 10.
#2 - Gary becomes teacher and earns half of Mary's salary
Mary and Gary graduated from university together. Gary became a teacher and earned half what Mary earned for 5 years. Mary spent 1/3 of her money; Gary spent 1/4 every year for those 5 years. Greg has $80,000 after 5 years. How much does Mary have?
Hint:
Let x = Gary's salary
Let 2x = Mary's salary
Let 1/4x = Greg's spending
Let 1/3(2x) = Mary's spending
Answer: Mary's savings = 5(Mary's salary) - Mary's spending = 5(2(21333.33)-1/3x(2(21333.33))) = $142222.22
Mary and Gary graduated from university together. Gary became a teacher and earned half what Mary earned for 5 years. Mary spent 1/3 of her money; Gary spent 1/4 every year for those 5 years. Greg has $80,000 after 5 years. How much does Mary have?
Hint:
Let x = Gary's salary
Let 2x = Mary's salary
Let 1/4x = Greg's spending
Let 1/3(2x) = Mary's spending
Answer: Mary's savings = 5(Mary's salary) - Mary's spending = 5(2(21333.33)-1/3x(2(21333.33))) = $142222.22
I find any problem that provides salary data to run the risk of being very dated as salary data can change quite suddenly. I also found that the example highlights that the person in the teaching profession is earning half of what the other "unnamed" profession is offering. How much does Mary have is also unrealistic as it does not take in account any investments .. It implies that she just stuffed the money in a mattress or something.
#3 - The rotation on a turntable
If a turntable rotates through 720 degrees in one second, how many revolutions does it make in one minute.
Hint: there are 360 degrees in one revolution
Answer: 720 degrees/sec x 60s/min x 1 revolution/360 degrees = 120 rev/min.
I can see the benefit in the problem as wanting to highlight that one rotation is 360 degrees and ensure students pay attention to the units. The turntable of today may be compared to the truncated grain pyramids of the Babylonians in that students may not have heard or seen a turntable. Could bring one in and add some more interesting history to the lesson.
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