Family Math #1
Brad’s Dilemma
It is day 2 of the Spring Trip and Galaxy has stopped at a rest stop for lunch. ONce everyone is settled and eating, Brad and Neil decide to stretch their legs by walking to the vending machines. When they arrive, Brad is delighted to find a vending machine that sells Sun Drop soda for $.95. This works out well since he has a dollar in his pocket. Then he notices the dreaded “EXACT CHANGE ONLY” sign on the machine. So, he turns to Neil and asks him if he has change for a dollar. Neil reaches into his pocket and discovers he has six coins. He tells Brad that he has $1.15 in change, but he cannot make change for a dollar. Brad is confused, and a little stressed out because he really wants that Sun Drop. He asks Neil if he can make change for a half dollar. Neil says no. Brad asks if he can make change for a quarter. Neil says no again. He asks about making change for a dime, and once again the answer is no. Neil the offers up that he also can’t make change for a nickle either. Brad is very frustrated (and thirsty) at this point and asks Neil if he can just buy him the soda. To his dismay, Neil tells him that he cannot do that either. Brad walks off shaking his head and goes to find Liz to see if she has any change.
The Questions:
- What are the six coins in Neil’s pocket (they are all U.S. coins currently in circulation)?
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He has a Half Dollar, A Quarter and four Dimes.
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- Which family member did you work with? Is there a reason why you chose that family member?
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I worked with my Mom, because my Dad was babysitting and my Mom is the best mathematician I know, besides you Tracey.
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- How did you go about solving the problem? In other words, what did you try first? What did you try next? Did you use coins to help you? Who offered suggestions? (This should be at least three sentences long and include your process)
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At first we tried doing it in our heads, but then we decided to use a spreadsheet to keep it all digital. Me and my Mom worked together to figure out the answer. We tried to a couple options, but none worked.
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- Did you try anything that didn’t work? If so, what was it (be specific)
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Yes, trying to get the 15 cents part we had considered a dimes and a nickel; but it did not work with the puzzle.
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- What did you enjoy most about this process and what did you find to be the most challenging or frustrating (be specific).
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We are still concerned we do not have the right answer, but we cannot think of any other way. We came to the conclusion that vending machines do not take half dollars, which is why Neil cannot help Brad get his SunDrop.
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| Brad's Dilemma |
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Value |
How many in a dollar |
Brad |
Our Answer |
Our First Attempt |
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| Penny |
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$0.01 |
100 |
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0 |
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| Nickel |
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$0.05 |
20 |
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0 |
1 |
| Dime |
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$0.10 |
10 |
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4 |
1 |
| Quarter |
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$0.25 |
4 |
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1 |
2 |
| Half Dollar |
vending machines do not take this coin |
$0.50 |
2 |
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1 |
1 |
| Dollar Bill |
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$1.00 |
1 |
X |
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| Brad has $1 |
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| Neil has $1.15 in change |
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