Real life MATH problems vs. Real life application.

Why are we learning this? Do we need this in our lives? These are common questions students ask in the classroom and parents wonder when students bring school work home. For many years, the easiest and faster way for teachers to make math more relevant is incorporating math skills into story problems. Lets take a look at the following two examples to see why story problem is not necessary real life application.

Assignment #1

Assigment #2

Which coupon should you use?

Complete solution for Assignment #2:

1. Item less than $15: you must use the 20% coupon because the $5 coupon is not valid.
2. Item from $15.01 to $24.99: the $5 coupon will save you more money.
3. Item exactly $25: both coupon will save you the same amount.
4. Item cost more than $25: the 20% coupon will save you more money.

Both assignments are "Discount" type problems, but which one require more practical thinking, problem solving, and deep conceptual understanding of "Discount"? Which assignment do we want our students to work on in school?

I am simply sharing my thoughts and experience as a math teacher. I am willing to learn and adapt in order to become a better educator.

Mr. Cudavenguyen