Percent Equations - Budget Project

Link to Materials - Click images for full quality.

This lesson helps students solve percent equations in the format percent/100 = part/whole. Then, students complete a multi-day project where they are assigned a job, location, and annual salary and are tasked to create a monthly budget for their "family." Then, students can (optionally) present their projects to the class. 

Logistics:

• I used this lesson for my eighth-grade Algebra I class as an extension on solving one-variable equations. It would be appropriate for pre-algebra through algebra I for any students who should learn how to solve percent equations, or can solve percent problems using another method such as proportions. 
• It took my students 1 class to learn the material, then 4 classes to complete the project and 1 class to present. Depending on the motivation of your students, I suspect you could complete it in one less day, especially if you feel comfortable that students would work on their project for homework as well. 
• Students will need access to the internet and it would be helpful to have Google Docs to access some of the materials - mine used our classroom set of Chromebooks. 

Standards:

• CC.2.1.6.D.1: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.
• CC.2.2.7.B.3: Model and solve real-world and mathematical problems by using and connecting numerical, algebraic, and/or graphical representations.
• CC.2.2.8.B.3: Analyze and solve linear equations and pairs of simultaneous linear equations. 
• Learning for Justice: JU.6-8.14: I know that all people (including myself) have certain advantages and disadvantages in society based on who they are and where they were born.