Comparing value for money: baseball jerseys

This is a problem solving lesson, designed to help you assess how well students are able to:

• Interpret a situation and represent the variables mathematically
• Interpret and evaluate the data generated and identify the break-even point

The problem is set in the context of the cost of baseball jerseys. Jerseys are to be ordered for a team and initially the offers of two companies are analysed. The first company offers a price of $21 per jersey. The second company charges a set-up fee of $45 and then charges a price of $18 per jersey. The problem is to advise which company to buy from according to the quantities required.

An extension task looks at a third company setting up in business. They want to make sure their prices always fall between those of the other two companies. Students must complete a poster to show charges for the third company.

Examples of different approaches are given for students to peer assess and to generate discussion.

This is a problem solving lesson from the Mathematics Assessment Resource Service, a collaboration between UC Berkeley and the Shell Centre team at the University of Nottingham. Further information on the collection is given here.