Chapter 54: Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods
Learn Grade 6 mathematics with very-beginner explanations, original worked examples, practice, reasoning, and review.
Chapter Overview
This chapter teaches Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods in original, simple language with step-by-step reasoning, worked examples, practice exercises, common mistakes, and review questions.
Key Technical Terms
- Goods and services (Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.)
- Needs and wants (Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.)
- Methods of payment (Methods of payment is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.)
- Cash (Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.)
- Debit payments (Debit payments is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.)
- Credit payments conceptually (Credit payments conceptually is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.)
How to Learn This Chapter
Read the explanation first, follow each worked example slowly, cover the answer and retry the problem yourself, then use the practice and review questions to check understanding.
54.1 Goods and services
Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 21 and 9. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 2
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 23 and 17. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 3
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 23 and 15. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 4
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 12 and 18. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 5
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 14 and 17. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 6
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 13 and 3. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 7
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 15 and 17. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 8
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 9 and 4. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 9
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 2 and 3. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 10
Problem: Use Goods and services to analyze the values 18 and 8. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Goods and services. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is starting a calculation before identifying what is given, what must be found, and which rule fits the problem.
54.2 Needs and wants
Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 5 and 13. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 2
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 16 and 14. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 3
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 24 and 18. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 4
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 16 and 17. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 5
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 17 and 9. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 6
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 24 and 18. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 7
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 13 and 8. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 8
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 24 and 4. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 9
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 5 and 14. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 10
Problem: Use Needs and wants to analyze the values 8 and 10. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Needs and wants. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is starting a calculation before identifying what is given, what must be found, and which rule fits the problem.
54.3 Methods of payment
Methods of payment is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 2
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 3
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 4
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 5
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 6
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 7
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 8
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 9
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 10
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Methods of payment. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is comparing only one number and ignoring fees, timing, limits, or the full context.
54.4 Cash
Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 29 and 14. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 2
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 20 and 11. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 3
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 17 and 5. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 4
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 11 and 9. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 5
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 14 and 11. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 6
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 18 and 11. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 7
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 2 and 17. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 8
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 28 and 2. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 9
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 4 and 9. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Worked Example 10
Problem: Use Cash to analyze the values 21 and 18. What should be checked first?
- Identify what each value represents.
- Choose the rule, representation, or comparison that matches the topic.
- Show the reasoning before accepting the result.
Very beginner explanation: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Answer: Check the meaning of the values and the rule required by the problem.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Cash. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is starting a calculation before identifying what is given, what must be found, and which rule fits the problem.
54.5 Debit payments
Debit payments is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 2
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 3
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 4
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 5
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 6
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 7
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 8
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 9
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 10
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Debit payments. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is comparing only one number and ignoring fees, timing, limits, or the full context.
54.6 Credit payments conceptually
Credit payments conceptually is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 2
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 3
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 4
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 5
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 6
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 7
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 8
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 9
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 10
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Credit payments conceptually. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is comparing only one number and ignoring fees, timing, limits, or the full context.
54.7 Electronic payments
Electronic payments is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 2
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 3
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 4
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 5
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 6
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 7
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 8
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 9
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 10
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Electronic payments. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is comparing only one number and ignoring fees, timing, limits, or the full context.
54.8 Advantages of payment methods
Advantages of payment methods is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 2
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 3
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 4
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 5
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 6
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 7
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 8
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 9
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 10
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Advantages of payment methods. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is comparing only one number and ignoring fees, timing, limits, or the full context.
54.9 Disadvantages of payment methods
Disadvantages of payment methods is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 2
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 3
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 4
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 5
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 6
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 7
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 8
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 9
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 10
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Disadvantages of payment methods. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is comparing only one number and ignoring fees, timing, limits, or the full context.
54.10 Fees and convenience
Fees and convenience is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: A savings amount of $200 earns 2% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $4.00
Worked Example 2
Problem: A savings amount of $300 earns 2.5% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $7.50
Worked Example 3
Problem: A savings amount of $400 earns 3% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $12.00
Worked Example 4
Problem: A savings amount of $500 earns 3.5% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $17.50
Worked Example 5
Problem: A savings amount of $600 earns 4% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $24.00
Worked Example 6
Problem: A savings amount of $700 earns 2% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $14.00
Worked Example 7
Problem: A savings amount of $800 earns 2.5% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $20.00
Worked Example 8
Problem: A savings amount of $900 earns 3% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $27.00
Worked Example 9
Problem: A savings amount of $1000 earns 3.5% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $35.00
Worked Example 10
Problem: A savings amount of $1100 earns 4% simple interest for one year. Estimate the interest.
- Convert the percent to a decimal.
- Multiply principal × rate × 1 year.
Very beginner explanation: Interest rate comparisons should also consider fees and conditions.
Answer: $44.00
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Fees and convenience. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is starting a calculation before identifying what is given, what must be found, and which rule fits the problem.
54.11 Comparing payment choices
Comparing payment choices is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 2
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 3
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 4
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 5
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 6
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 7
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 8
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 9
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 10
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Comparing payment choices. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is comparing only one number and ignoring fees, timing, limits, or the full context.
54.12 Responsible payment decisions
Responsible payment decisions is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable. In this Grade 6 lesson, focus on meaning first, then use a small example, show the steps, and check whether the result fits the question.
Beginner Note
Identify what is given, what must be found, and which rule or representation fits this topic. Work one step at a time and explain why each step is valid.
10 Worked Examples with Answers and Very-Beginner Explanations
Worked Example 1
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 2
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 3
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 4
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 5
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 6
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 7
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 8
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 9
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Worked Example 10
Problem: A purchase can be paid with cash or an electronic payment that charges a $2 fee. If both are otherwise equally convenient, which costs less?
- Compare the total cost of each choice.
- Include any fee.
Very beginner explanation: Payment decisions can involve cost, convenience, safety, timing, and access.
Answer: Cash costs $2 less in this example.
Practice Exercise
Create one new Grade 6 problem about Responsible payment decisions. Solve it step by step, label any units, and explain how you checked your answer.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is comparing only one number and ignoring fees, timing, limits, or the full context.
30 Review Questions and Answers
Q1. What is important to understand about Goods and services?
Answer: Goods and services is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q2. What is important to understand about Needs and wants?
Answer: Needs and wants is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q3. What is important to understand about Methods of payment?
Answer: Methods of payment is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q4. What is important to understand about Cash?
Answer: Cash is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q5. What is important to understand about Debit payments?
Answer: Debit payments is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q6. What is important to understand about Credit payments conceptually?
Answer: Credit payments conceptually is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q7. What is important to understand about Electronic payments?
Answer: Electronic payments is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q8. What is important to understand about Advantages of payment methods?
Answer: Advantages of payment methods is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q9. What is important to understand about Disadvantages of payment methods?
Answer: Disadvantages of payment methods is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q10. What is important to understand about Fees and convenience?
Answer: Fees and convenience is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q11. What is important to understand about Comparing payment choices?
Answer: Comparing payment choices is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q12. What is important to understand about Responsible payment decisions?
Answer: Responsible payment decisions is a Grade 6 mathematics idea in Thinking Critically About Money and Payment Methods. The goal is to understand the meaning, choose a suitable strategy, show the steps clearly, and check that the result is reasonable.
Q13. Why should you show your steps?
Answer: Showing steps makes reasoning easier to verify and helps locate mistakes.
Q14. Why is estimation useful?
Answer: Estimation helps you judge whether a final answer is reasonable before accepting it.
Q15. Why do units matter?
Answer: Units tell what a value measures and help prevent incompatible quantities from being mixed.
Q16. When should you round?
Answer: Usually round near the end unless the question specifically asks for earlier rounding.
Q17. How can you check an answer?
Answer: Use an inverse operation, substitution, estimation, a graph, a table, or a second method.
Q18. What should you identify first in a word problem?
Answer: Identify what is known, what is unknown, and the relationship connecting them.
Q19. What makes a final answer complete?
Answer: Give the value, correct units when needed, and a brief interpretation in context.
Q20. What should you do if an answer seems unreasonable?
Answer: Re-read the question and check copied values, operations, signs, units, rules, and calculations.
Q21. Why are diagrams useful?
Answer: A labelled diagram can reveal relationships that are harder to see in words alone.
Q22. Why are tables useful?
Answer: Tables organize values so patterns, rates, comparisons, and missing information are easier to see.
Q23. Why are graphs useful?
Answer: Graphs make relationships, changes, trends, and comparisons visible.
Q24. Why should you explain your reasoning?
Answer: An explanation shows why a method works instead of only giving a final number.
Q25. Why can more than one strategy be correct?
Answer: Different correct strategies can represent the same mathematics in different but equivalent ways.
Q26. What should you do before using a formula or rule?
Answer: Check what each quantity means and whether the rule matches the situation.
Q27. How does practice help in mathematics?
Answer: Practice builds accuracy and fluency while helping you recognize which strategies fit different problems.
Q28. What is a good way to learn from a mistake?
Answer: Find the exact step where the reasoning changed from correct to incorrect, then solve a similar problem again.
Q29. Why should you compare an exact answer with an estimate?
Answer: The estimate gives a quick reasonableness check for the exact calculation.
Q30. What does representing mathematics mean?
Answer: It means showing an idea with numbers, symbols, words, diagrams, tables, graphs, or models.