This problem solving activity has a number focus.
Matiu and Ariana have agreed to work for their Mum over the holidays.
The pay they get will vary.
Ariana will get $10 for the first day she works and two more dollars for every day she works after that.
Matiu will get $1 for the first day he works, but for each day he works from then on, his pay will be doubled.
Who would you rather be and why?
This problem poses a question that involves students comparing two rates. In one a fixed number is added, and in the other the total is continually doubled.
It is worth noting that, regardless of the whole numbers you begin with, doubling will eventually win.
Matiu and Ariana have agreed to work for their Mum over the holidays. The pay they get will vary. Ariana will get $10 for the first day she works and two more dollars for every day she works after that. Matiu will get $1 for the first day he works, but for each day he works from then on, his pay will be doubled.
Who would you rather be and why?
After how many days is Matiu’s Mum likely to run out of money?
This problem doesn’t have a definite answer as it does not state how many days the two students work. If they work for less than 6 days then Ariana will earn most money. If they work for more than 6 days, then Matiu will earn the most.
There is no precise answer. However, the students should be able to see that doubling raises the number fairly quickly. After 20 days the amount exceeds one million dollars. Most people won’t be able to afford that amount in pocket money!
Printed from https://meaningfulmaths.nt.edu.au/mmws/nz/resource/pocket-money at 8:56pm on the 26th February 2024