Carla's School Supplies A Math Problem Solved
In this article, we'll break down a simple yet engaging math problem involving Carla's school supply shopping trip. This problem falls under the realm of basic arithmetic and is perfect for students learning about multiplication, addition, and subtraction in everyday contexts. We'll explore how to calculate the total cost of her purchases and determine the change she receives after paying with a $20 bill. This exercise not only reinforces mathematical skills but also helps in developing practical financial literacy.
Understanding the Problem: Carla's Shopping List
Carla's shopping trip involved purchasing essential school supplies. She bought three notebooks, each priced at $5, and a box of colors costing $7. The core of the problem lies in calculating the total amount Carla spent and then determining how much money she had left over after paying with a $20 bill. This type of problem is common in early mathematics education as it combines multiple operations and applies them to a real-life scenario, making the learning process more relatable and practical. Understanding the problem is the first crucial step in problem-solving. We need to identify the key pieces of information: the number of notebooks, the cost of each notebook, the cost of the color box, and the total amount of money Carla had initially.
Calculating the Cost of the Notebooks
The first step in determining Carla's total expenditure is to calculate the cost of the notebooks. Carla bought three notebooks, and each notebook cost $5. To find the total cost, we need to multiply the number of notebooks by the price of each notebook. This is a basic multiplication problem: 3 notebooks * $5/notebook. The calculation is straightforward: 3 multiplied by 5 equals 15. Therefore, the total cost of the notebooks is $15. This step is fundamental in solving the overall problem, as it provides a significant component of the total cost. Understanding multiplication as repeated addition is crucial here. We can think of it as adding $5 three times: $5 + $5 + $5 = $15. This approach helps solidify the concept for learners. This part of the problem highlights the practical application of multiplication in everyday situations, such as shopping.
Determining the Total Amount Spent
Now that we know the cost of the notebooks, the next step is to determine the total amount spent by Carla. She spent $15 on notebooks and an additional $7 on a box of colors. To find the total amount spent, we need to add these two amounts together. This involves a simple addition operation: $15 (notebooks) + $7 (color box). Adding these two amounts, we get $22. Therefore, Carla spent a total of $22 on her school supplies. This step reinforces the concept of addition and its role in combining different amounts to find a total. It's important to emphasize the units (dollars) to maintain clarity in the calculation. The problem now clearly shows that Carla spent more than the $20 she had, which sets the stage for the next part of the problem: determining how much money she spent over her initial amount.
Calculating the Change (or the Deficit)
Finally, we need to calculate how much money Carla spent over her initial amount. Carla had $20 and spent $22. To find the difference, we subtract the amount she had from the amount she spent: $22 (total spent) - $20 (initial amount). Performing this subtraction, we find that $22 minus $20 equals $2. This means Carla spent $2 more than she had. In a real-world scenario, this would mean Carla is $2 short or overspent by $2. This final step involves subtraction and introduces the concept of dealing with amounts exceeding the available funds. It's a crucial part of financial literacy to understand how to calculate deficits and manage spending within a budget. This problem highlights the importance of planning and budgeting before making purchases.
Conclusion: Carla's Shopping Lesson
In conclusion, Carla's shopping trip provides a practical example of how basic math operations are used in everyday life. By calculating the cost of her notebooks ($15), adding the cost of the color box ($7), and comparing the total expenditure ($22) to her initial amount ($20), we've determined that Carla spent $2 more than she had. This exercise reinforces the importance of multiplication, addition, and subtraction, while also illustrating the concept of budgeting and managing finances. Math problems like these are valuable tools for teaching students how to apply mathematical concepts to real-world scenarios, fostering both mathematical proficiency and financial literacy.