Math Bell Ringer for Grades 6–8: Finding the better deal with unit prices
A free math bell ringer for grades 6–8. Put the prompt on the board as students walk in, give them three to five minutes, then go over it together. The answer and teacher notes are in the box below the prompt.
The prompt
- Store A sells 6 granola bars for $4.50. Store B sells 8 granola bars for $5.60. Which store has the better price per bar?
- How much would you save buying 24 bars at the better price instead of the other one?
Answer and teacher notes
1. Store A: $4.50 ÷ 6 = $0.75 per bar. Store B: $5.60 ÷ 8 = $0.70 per bar. Store B is the better deal.
2. Store A: 24 × $0.75 = $18.00. Store B: 24 × $0.70 = $16.80. You save $1.20. Check: 5 cents saved per bar × 24 bars = $1.20.
Common mistake: picking Store A because $4.50 is the smaller total. The unit price is what lets you compare packs of different sizes.
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