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Elissa Tomlinson
Math 4161-C
September 13, 2004
Money and Math Around the World
This activity involves making purchases from various countries around the world.
The students are given pictures of money from various countries and a
conversion chart. They are then given prices for various items and they have to
determine how much money they would need in American dollars to pay for the
items. This is an interesting activity that helps students understand money
differences around the world and gives them practice in converting from foreign
currency to U.S. currency. The grade level for this activity could be from 6 th – 8th,
and the difficulty level is low to medium.
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Money and Math Around the World
Emma is going on a travel adventure all around the world. She will be visiting
various countries and will be purchasing items from each country. She will need
to know how much money various items cost. Please help Emma determine the
price of the following items in U.S. Dollars based on the conversion chart listed
below.
Currency Conversion Chart
$1.00 USD = 1.31 Canadian Dollars……..1.00 Canadian Dollar = $.076 USD
$1.00 USD = 0.54 U. K. Pound…………1.00 U.K. Pound = $1.84 USD
$1.00 USD = 0.81 Euro…………..……1.00 Euro = $1.24 USD
$1.00 USD = 6.33 South Africa Rand……… 1.00 S.A. Rand = $0.16 USD
$1.00 USD = 7.70 Hong Kong Dollars…..1.00 H.K. Dollar = $0.13 USD
$1.00 USD = 104.32 Japan Yen…….. 1.00 Japan Yen = $0.01 USD
$1.00 USD = 1.31 Australia Dollars…….1.00 Australia Dollar = $0.76 USD
$1.00 USD = 11.13 Mexico Pesos……….1.00 Mexico Pesos = $0.09 USD
$1.00 USD = 3.75 Saudi Arabia Riyals…..1.00 S.A. Riyals = $0.27 USD
$1.00 USD = 28.52 Russia Rubles………1.00 Russia Ruble = $0.04 USD
USD = United States Dollars
These conversions are approximate
These Conversions are accurate as of 3/31/04
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Please pay attention to what country Emma is shopping in when you make your
conversions. After you finish your conversions, determine which country you
believe Emma gets the most for her American Dollars.
1.
While in Saudi Arabia, Emma finds a beautiful rug in an outdoor market.
The price in Saudi Arabia Riyals is 187.50. How much American money does
Emma need to purchase that rug?
______________________.
2. Emma has now found an exquisite lamp that looks just like Aladdin’s lamp.
The Saudi Arabia price is 250.00 Riyals. If Emma has $100.00 to spend, does
she have enough money to purchase the lamp?
______________________.
3.
Emma hopped on a plane this morning and flew to France. While in
France, she discovers that the price of her motel is 100.00 Euro per night. She
has budgeted for $100.00 USD per night. Is this motel more or less than her
budgeted amount?
______________________.
4.
While shopping in Russia, Emma finds a very pretty shirt that she would
like to purchase. The price is 713 Russia Rubles. How much money does she
need in USD?
______________________.
5.
Emma tires of France and decides to fly on to the United Kingdom for a
change of scenery. In the U.K., Emma discovers some very delicious chocolate.
The price for the chocolate is 15.00 pounds. How much money does Emma
need in USD?
______________________.
6.
The United Kingdom has some beautiful dolls that Emma would like to
purchase to bring home to her two sisters. The dolls are priced at 20.00 pounds
each. Emma planned to spend $25.00 USD on each of her sisters. Are these
dolls more or less than the $25.00 USD she planned to spend?
______________________.
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7.
While in Japan, Emma decides to eat at a nice restaurant, but she is
having trouble deciding if she has enough USD to pay for the meal. The entrée
that Emma wants to try is priced at 1,500.00 Yen. That sounds really expensive.
How much money in USD does Emma need to pay for this meal?
________________________.
8.
Hong Kong is Emma’s next stop, and she immediately finds an intricately
decorated fan at the airport. The fan is beautiful, and Emma wants to buy it for
her mother. The fan costs 260.00 Hong Kong Dollars. Emma planned on
spending $20.00 for her mother’s souvenir. Does this fan fit into Emma’s
budget?
_____________________.
9.
Back in America, Emma visits Mexico. While walking through the open
market in Mexico, Emma decides to buy a colorful necklace. The necklace is
priced at 278.50 Mexico Pesos. How much would that be in USD?
________________________.
10.
Emma decides to change her latitude and flies to Canada. In Canada
there is a newly opened amusement park that Emma would enjoy experiencing.
She calls the park and finds out that the admission is 50.00 Canada Dollars.
How much would that be in USD?
______________________________.
11.
The last location on Emma’s agenda is South Africa. Emma wants to go
on an African Safari. The tour guide tells Emma that the cost of the Safari is
300.00 Rand. Emma only has $75.00 USD left in her budget for Africa. Does
Emma have enough money to go on the Safari?
___________________________.
Upon Emma’s arrival home in the United States, she realizes that she needs to
do some grocery shopping. Please help Emma decide how much various items
in the grocery store cost.
12.
Emma needs to purchase some butter, which is priced at three for $1.98.
What is the price of one?
_________________________.
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13.
She finds apples on sale at four for $2.00. How much does one apple
cost?
_______________.
14.
A 6-ounce can of tuna sells for $1.59, and a package of three 3-ounce
cans sells for $2.19. Which costs less per ounce?
_____________________________.
15.
A 64-ounce box of laundry detergent costs $5.98, and a 48-ounce box of
laundry detergent costs $4.88. Which is the better deal and why?
______________________________________________________________.
16.
A roll of paper towels is priced at $0.99. A package of three rolls of paper
towels is priced at $2.50. Which costs less per roll?
_____________________________________.
17.
Emma’s budget for groceries is $50.00. She estimates that she has
$46.00 worth of groceries in her buggy. She finds her favorite cereal is priced at
two for $4.24. How many boxes of cereal can Emma buy and still be within her
budget, and why?
_____________________________________________________________.
On the next two pages, you will find pictures of what foreign currency
looks like. Can you find some similarities and differences between
these banknotes and the currency we use in the Unites States?
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Answer Key for Math Around the World
1. $50.00 USD
2. $66.67 USD
3. More - $123.46 USD
4. $25.00 USD
5. $27.78 USD
6. Less - $24.69 USD
7. $14.38 USD
8. No - $$33.77 USD
9. $25.02 USD
10. $38.17 USD
11. Yes - $47.39 USD
12. $0.66
13. $0.50
14. The three 3-ounce cans is less per ounce.
15. The 64-ounce box is a better deal at $0.09/ounce because
the 48-ounce box costs $0.10/ounce.
16. The package of three rolls costs less per roll.
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17. To stay within her budget, Emma should only buy one
box of cereal because two boxes would put her over her
budget by $0.24.
18. Answers will vary – discussion groups would work well
for this part.