Unit 5

Using Decimals
in Real Life

Fundamental Mathematics 219

Topic A: Unit Pricing
This next skill you learn will help you practice some math skills you have already learned:
 Dividing
 Rounding
 Working with money
 Comparing numbers

Have you stood in front of a store shelf trying to decide on the "best buy"? Often the
packages are different sizes so it is difficult to compare the prices. Many stores now help by
putting the unit prices on the shelf below their products, but you may need to figure the unit
price out yourself.

The unit price is the price for one measure or one unit of a product.

 The unit price for 6 kilograms (kg) of tomatoes will be the price per one kilogram
(price/kg).

 You may wish to compare the cost of soft drinks sold in 750 millilitre (mL) bottles,
500 mL cans and 2 litre (which is 2000 mL) bottles. The unit price will be price per
one millilitre (price/mL).

 Socks are often sold in bundles of several pairs. How do you decide on the best buy if
the same socks are on sale in bundles of 6 pairs, bundles of 8 pairs and bundles of 4
pairs? You figure out the unit price which would be the price per one pair of socks
(price/pair).

To calculate the unit price, do this:

Total Price  Number of Units = Unit Price

220 Book 4
To compare unit prices you need to compare the same unit measure to the same unit
measure.

Compare kilograms to kilograms

Compare litres to litres
Compare pairs of slippers to pairs of slippers
Compare grams to grams
...and so on!

Example:

A 12 gram bag of potato chips costs $1.08 while an 8 g bag sells for $0.80
Which is the better buy? We will compare the price per gram for the 12 g bag with the
price per gram for the 8 g bag. The bag with the lower price per gram is the better buy.

Step 1 Be sure that the prices are written the same way; that is, all using the $
(dollars) style or all using the ¢ (cents) style. Be sure that the units for all
items are the same.

Step 2 Work out the unit price for each size bag by dividing the total price by
the contents (the number of grams). Be careful to include the money
sign and units.

$1.08  12g = $ 0.09/g $0.80  8g = $ 0.10/g

Step 3 Compare the unit price to decide which size bag is the better value. The
12 g bag is the better buy.

Of course the item with the best unit price may not be the best buy for you. You
may only have enough money to buy a small quantity, or you may not want to
have a large quantity of something. This is a helpful skill to know for if you
need to use it.

Fundamental Mathematics 221

Exercise One Calculate the unit price of these items which are of equal
quality and then √ the better buy. (Divide price by number
of units.)

Item Unit to Total Number Unit √

Compare Price of Units Price
Socks-4 pair $2.80 pairs $2.80 4 $0.70/pr

Socks-6 pair $4.08 pairs $4.08 6 $0.68/pr √

Toilet paper-8 rolls $2.56

Toilet paper-6 rolls $1.86

Laundry Soap-3 Litres $5.94

Laundry Soap-5 Litres $9.80

A dozen eggs $2.79

A dozen and a half eggs $4.09

Answers to Exercise One

Item Unit to Total Price Number of Unit Price √

Compare Units
Socks-4 pair $2.80 pairs $2.80 4 $0.70/pr
Socks-6 pair $4.08 pairs $4.08 6 $0.68/pr √
Toilet paper-8 rolls $2.56 rolls $2.56 8 $0.32/roll
Toilet paper-6 rolls $1.86 rolls $1.86 6 $0.31/roll √
Laundry Soap-3 Litres $5.94 litres $5.94 3 $1.98/L
Laundry Soap-5 Litres $9.80 litres $9.80 5 $1.96/L √
A dozen eggs $2.79 Eggs $2.79 12 $0.2325/egg
A dozen and a half eggs $4.09 eggs $4.09 18 $0.227/egg √

222 Book 4
Now look at this example:

The drugstore is advertising one brand of toothpaste at $1.39 per 100 mL tube and an
equal brand at 99¢ per 75 mL tube. Which is the better buy?

Step 1 Check that the units are the same. You will compare millilitres
to millilitres. Rewrite 99¢ as $0.99

Step 2 Work out the unit price for each tube by dividing total price by
the contents (number of mL).

$1.39  100 mL = $0.0139/mL

$0.99  75 mL = $0.0132/mL

Step 3 Decide which tube is cheaper per unit price. Even though the
results look strange for money, you are still able to tell that
$0.0132/mL is less than $0.0139/ml. The 75 mL tube is the
better buy.

This is a good time to review Dollars and Cents and Rounding.

Remember:
Abbreviations
kilogram kg
gram g
1 kilogram = 1000 grams litre L
1 litre =1000 millilitres millilitre mL
package pkg

Fundamental Mathematics 223

Exercise Two Round to the nearest cent.

a) $2.438 b) $0.099

c) 84.8¢ d) $6.409

e) 0.9¢ f) 13.2¢

g) $0.051 h) 28.6¢

i) 10.9¢ j) $0.252

k) $12.479 l) 1.4¢

Answers to Exercise Two

a) $2.44 b) $0.10 c) 85¢ d) $6.41

e) 1¢ f) 13¢ g) $0.05 h) 29¢
i) 11¢ j) $0.25 k) $12.48 l) 1¢

224 Book 4
Exercise Three Decide which item in each group is the "best buy" by
figuring out the unit price. Round the unit price to the
nearest cent and √ the best buy.

Item Amount Price Unit price Best

Buy
a) Frozen waffles 200 g $4.99 $0.024/g  _
(See calculations below) $0.02/g
Frozen waffles 1 kg (1000g) $11.99 $0.011/g  √
$0.01/g

0.024
200 4.990
4 000
990
800
90

$11.99  1000 g = $0.0011/g  $0.01/g

Fundamental Mathematics 225

 a) Item Amount Price Unit Best
price Buy

b) Box of laundry soap 5 kg $9.99

Box of laundry soap 8 kg $16.99

c) Granola bars 170 g $ 4.49

Granola bars 300 g $3.98

d) Garbage bags 20 bags $2.29

Garbage bags 45 bags $3.98

e) Rice 1.4 kg $3.69

Rice 2 kg $5.39

f) Knee hi stockings 2 pair 99¢

Knee hi stockings 5 pair $2.58

g) Orange juice 5L $ 4.99

Orange juice 2 one litre cartons $ 1.69

h) Bleach 3.6 L $1.89

Bleach 5L $2.49

i) Socks 10 pair $ 5.99

Socks 2 pair $ 2.29

j) Cat food 1.5 kg bag 2 bags for $6.99

Cat food 0.4 kg bag $1.25

k) 10-W-30 Motor oil case of 12 1 L cans $14.60

10-W-30 Motor oil 1 L can 3 cans for $3.49

226 Book 4
 Answers to Exercise Three

Item Amount Price Unit price Best

Buy

b) Box of laundry soap 5 kg $9.99 $2.00/kg √

Box of laundry soap 8 kg $16.99 $2.12/kg

c) Granola bars 170 g $ 4.49 $0.03/g

Granola bars 300 g $3.98 $0.01/g √

d) Garbage bags 20 bags $2.29 $0.11/bag

Garbage bags 45 bags $3.98 $0.09/bag √

e) Rice 1.4 kg $3.69 $2.64/kg √

Rice 2 kg $5.39 $2.70/kg

f) Knee hi stockings 2 pair 99¢ $0.50/pr √

Knee hi stockings 5 pair $2.58 $0.52/pr

g) Orange juice 5L $ 4.99 $1.00/L

Orange juice 2 one litre $ 1.69 $0.85/L √
cartons

h) Bleach 3.6 L $1.89 $0.53/L

Bleach 5L $2.49 $0.50/L √

i) Socks 10 pair $ 5.99 $0.60/pr √

Socks 2 pair $ 2.29 $1.15/pr

j) Cat food 1.5 kg bag 2 bags for $2.33/kg √

$6.99
Cat food 0.4 kg bag $1.25 $3.13/kg

k) 10-W-30 Motor oil case of 12, one $14.60 $1.22/L

L cans
10-W-30 Motor oil 1 L can 3 cans for $1.16/L √
$3.49

Fundamental Mathematics 227

Rounding to the Nearest Tenth of a Cent
We do not have a coin that equals one tenth of a cent, but this amount of money is often used to
calculate prices and can be significant for large amounts. The unit price information on store
shelves also may include tenths of a cent. One other place where you see tenths of a cent is at
the gas station—gasoline is priced at cents per litre and is usually written like this, without the $
or ¢:
99.9 L (99.9¢/L) or 0.999 L ($0.999/L)

Gas Pricing Now, Past and the Future

Gas prices have risen and fallen thousands of times in the past. On the gas station signs,
the cost is listed as cents per litre (¢/L). In early 2010, the cost of gas was about 103.4
¢/L. This could also be written as $1.034/L. In the past it was unthinkable to have the gas
price be so high that we would need to talk about dollars per litre. Before the 1970’s gas
prices were more stable. Here are a few pump prices from the past 20 years to compare:
Average Costs of Regular Gas in Canada in the Past 20 Years.

Year Average Cost of Regular Gas in

Canada in ¢/L
1987 50.1
1990 58.5
1995 54.1
2000 71.6
2005 92.3
2009 94.5
(from M.J. Ervin & Associates, [Link]

Some Interesting Highest Average Prices in Canada (!!)

Date Location Price (for regular

gas)
In ¢/L
June 2009 Yellowknife 122.0
June 2009 Vancouver 113.3
June 2009 Fort St. John 112.7
(from M.J. Ervin & Associates, [Link]

Can you imagine what the future of gas prices will look like? How will the sellers show
the prices on their signs in a few years from now? Do you think it will it be ¢/L or $/L?

228 Book 4
Topic A: Self-Test Aim: Good Shopping!

Sit down with this week's grocery sale fliers and comparison shop. Work out the unit price for
at least 5 items that are advertised by more than one store. Decide on the "best buy".

You may prefer to go to a store and copy down the prices and sizes of different brands of an
item that you use. Decide which size in what brand is the best buy. Do this for five items. If the
store has the unit price labels on the shelves, the hard work has already been done!

If you are not satisfied with your skill in unit pricing, ask your instructor for assistance.

Fundamental Mathematics 229

Topic B: Decimal Problems
Spend a few minutes reviewing the key words that will help you identify addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division problems. Read over some of the problems
that you have done in each topic to remind yourself of the patterns to expect for
different operations. Carefully review the five steps to use when solving problems
(Unit Two, Topic A).

Step 1 Read, find the question.

Step 2 Get the necessary information from the problem. Draw
pictures to help do this.

Step 3 Decide on the arithmetic operation.

Step 4 Estimate the answer, using rounded numbers.

Step 5 Solve the problem, using the actual numbers.

a) The weight of an A.T.V. is 293.937 kg. If a hiker, who weighs 62.142 kg packed
an extra 68.39 kg, how much would her entire A.T.V. weigh when loaded?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

230 Book 4
b) The Courtenay town shuttle bus drives a route that is 12.73 km. It drives this route 30 times
a day. How many kilometres does the bus drive in one day?
Estimation:

Actual Solution:

c) John's take-home pay is $952.52 every two weeks. If $221.21 has been deducted (taken off)
for income tax, $24.57 for employment insurance, and $22.70 for the Canada Pension Plan,
what is his gross pay? (Gross pay is what he earns before deductions.

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

Fundamental Mathematics 231

d) Which is the best buy? Find the unit price for each item, rounded to the nearest cent, and √
the best buy.

Item Amount Price Unit price Best

Buy
i) Flour 10 kg bag $8.89
ii) Flour 4 kg bag $3.79
iii) Flour 2.5 kg bag $2.69

e) Mary bought a TV set. She made a down payment of $75.00 and then made monthly
payments of $56.19 for eight months. How much did she pay for the TV set altogether?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

232 Book 4
f) The total number of employee hours to be paid on the weekly payroll for the Dryer Company
was 19 600 hours. The average rate of pay was $9.575 per hour. How much money was paid
out in the payroll that week?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

g) Bill and his wife were on a week-end trip. They spent $68.25 for gas, $74.96 for motels,
$124.80 for meals and liquor, $29.50 for the show, and $24.98 for a gift for his parents who
were baby-sitting. How much did they spend?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

Fundamental Mathematics 233

h) Mr. Swift bought a 7.5 kg turkey for $18.91 just before Thanksgiving. What was the cost of
the turkey per kg?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

i) Joe's truck holds 94.5 L of gasoline. If he can drive 896 km on that much gasoline, calculate
the km/L of gasoline for his truck. Answer to the nearest hundredth of a litre.

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

234 Book 4
j) Calculate the total cost of having new carpet in the family room which will need 24 square
metres (m2) to cover the floor. Here are the costs for one square metre: (Note that this is a two-
step problem.)
carpet $19.95/m2
underlay $ 4.50/m2
taxes $ 3.83/m2
labour charges $ 4.75/m2

Estimations:

Actual Solutions:

k) When he bought his new cell phone, Lou paid $150 in cash and said he would pay the rest at
the end of the month. How much did he have left to pay on his $319.95 cell phone?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

Fundamental Mathematics 235

l) Sarah figures that it takes 0.75m of material to create a crest for a button blanket. How many
crests can she make with 8.75 m of material?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

m) Andy bought a shirt for $29.95 and a tie for $13.50. The HST was $5.21.

i) How much did he spend?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

ii) How much change did he get from his fifty dollar bill?
Estimation:

Actual Solution:

236 Book 4
n) In a recent 48-game season, the Campbell River Storm won 0.625 of their hockey games.
How many games did they win? And how many games did they lose? Be sure that your games
won and the games lost add up to 48 games when you are finished.

Estimations:

Actual Solutions:

o) Ann got tired of packing her lunch every day so now she always buys the $6.25 lunch from
the catering service in the factory where she works. How much did she spend on lunches in the
22 days she worked in October?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

Fundamental Mathematics 237

p) Jim's online bank statement showed a balance of $183.65 before he used his debit card to pay
$24.62 at the grocery store and $14.89 at the pharmacy. What is his new bank balance?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

q) If Diane takes a job paying $28 606.60 a year, what will her monthly salary (before
deductions) be? (1 year = 12 months)

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

238 Book 4
r) Carl's total annual union dues are $235.75 If he pays the same amount each month toward his
union dues, what does he pay monthly?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

s) What will Lynne pay for 12.8 litres (L) of gasoline at 99.9¢/L for her new sports car? Round
your answer to the nearest cent.

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

Fundamental Mathematics 239

t) Joan earns $86.25 for working 7.5 hours. What is her hourly rate of pay?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

u) Samantha's height and weight have both changed since she was sixteen. Her old height and
weight were 160.02 cm and 56.82 kg. Her present height and weight are 165.1 cm and 58.18 kg.
Find the increases in her height and weight.

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

240 Book 4
v) A car stereo can be purchased for $199.99 cash. If you wish to buy it "on time" you must pay
$50.00 a down payment and make monthly payments of $27.50 for six months.

i) How much do you pay if you buy "on time"?

ii) How much do you save if you pay cash?

Fundamental Mathematics 241

 Answers to Unit 2 – Topic B
a) Estimation: 300kg + 60 kg + 70 kg kg  430 kg
Actual Solution: 293.937 kg + 62.142 kg + 68.39 kg = 424.469 kg
The ATV weighed 424.469 kg when loaded.

b) Estimation: 12 km  30 km  360 km per day

Actual Solution: 12.73 km  30 km = 381.9 km
The bus drives 381.9 km a day.

c) Estimation: $950 + $220 + $25 + $25  $1220

Actual Solution: $952.52 + $221.21 + $24.57 + $22.70 = $1221.00
John’s gross pay is $1221.00.
d)

Item Amount Price Unit price Best

Buy

i) Flour 10 kg bag $8.89 $0.89 

ii) Flour 4 kg bag $3.79 $0.95

iii) Flour 2.5 kg bag $2.69 $1.08

e) Estimation: $60  8 + $75  $555

Actual Solution: $56.19  8 + $75.00 = $524.52
Mary paid $524.52 for the TV set.

f) Estimation: 20 000 hours  $10.00  $200 000

Actual Solution: 19 600 hours  $9.575 = $187 670
Dryer Company paid out $187 670 for the payroll that week.

g) Estimation: $70 + $75 + $125 + $30 + 25  $325

Actual Solution: $68.25 + $74.96 + $124.80 + $29.50 + $24.98 = $322.49
Bill and his wife spent $322.49 on their weekend trip.

h) Estimation: $20  8 kg  $2.50

Actual Solution: $18.91  7.5 kg = $2.52
The cost of the turkey was $2.52 per kilogram.

i) Estimation: 900 km  90 L  10 km/L

Actual solution: 896 km  94.5 L = 9.48 km/L
Joe’s truck uses 9.48 kilometres per litre.

242 Book 4
 j) Estimations: $20 + $5 + $5+ $5  $35
$35  25 m2  $875
Actual Solutions: $19.95 + $4.50 + $3.83 + $4.75 = $33.03
$33.03  24 m2 = $792.72
The cost to have the new carpet is $792.72.

k) Estimation: $320 - $150  $170

Actual Solution: $319.95 - $150 = $169.95
Lou will have $169.95 left to pay at the end of the month.

l) Estimation: 9 m 1 m  9m
Actual Solution: 8.75 m  0.75 = 11.6
Sarah can make 11 crests.

m) i) Estimation: $30 + $14 + $5  $49

Actual Solution: $29.95 + $13.50 + $5.21 = $48.66
Andy spent $48.66

ii) Estimation: $50 - $49  $1

Actual Solution: $50 - $48.66 = $1.34
Andy got $1.34 change from his $50.

n) Estimations: 50  0.50  25 games won

50   25 games lost (or 50 – 25 = 25)
0.50
Actual Solutions: 48  0.625 =30 games won
48  0.375 =18 games lost (or 48 – 30 = 18)

o) Estimation: 20  $6  $120
Actual Solution: 22  $6.25 = $137.50
Ann spent $137.50 on lunches in October.

p) Estimation: $180 - $20 - $10  $150

Actual Solution: $183.65 - $24.62 - $14.89 = $144.14
Jim’s new cheque book balance is $144.14.

q) Estimation: $30 000  10  $3 000

Actual Solution: $28 606.60  12 = $2 383.88
Diane’s monthly salary will be $2 383.88.

Fundamental Mathematics 243

 r) Estimation: $250  10  $25
Actual Solution: $235.75  12 = $19.65
Carl’s will pay $19.65 monthly.

s) Estimation: 13 L  $1.00  $13.00

Actual Solution: 12.8 L  99.9¢ = 1278.7¢ or $12.79
Lynne will pay $12.79 for gasoline.

t) Estimation: $90  8 hours  $11.25

Actual Solution: $86.25  7.5 hours = $11.50
Joan’s hourly rate of pay is $11.50.

u) Estimation: 165 cm – 160 cm  5 cm

58 kg – 57 kg = 1 kg
Actual Solution: 165.1 cm – 160.02 cm = 5.08 cm
58.18 kg – 56.82 kg = 1.36 kg
Samantha’s height has changed by 5.08 cm and her weight has changed by 1.36 kg.

v) i) $27.50  6 = $165
$165 + 50 = $215 If you pay “on time” you will pay $215.
ii) $215 - $199.99 = $15.01 If you pay cash, you will save $15.01.

244 Book 4
Topic B: Self-Test Mark /10 Aim 8/10

a) A machinist has to bore (drill) a hole through 2.6 cm of steel. He has drilled 1.25 cm. How
much farther must he drill?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

b) Cliff bought 15.5 kilograms of chicken feed for $0.98/kg. That feed will last his chickens for
12 days. How many kilograms of this chicken feed do his chickens eat every day?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

Fundamental Mathematics 245

c) Mrs. Williams bought 6.5 m of fabric to make two dresses. The fabric was on sale for $8.95
a metre and as part of the sale the store was paying all the taxes. How much did she pay?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

d) The bus boys (table clearers) at the local restaurant only work while the dining room is busy,
so they have to record their hours. Last week Jason worked 4.5 hours on Monday, 3.25 hours on
Tuesday, 5.75 hours on Wednesday, none on Thursday or Friday, but 8.8 hours on Saturday.
Find the total of the hours that Jason worked clearing dishes at the restaurant last week.

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

246 Book 4
e) Karla gets $12.75 per hour when she works overtime. Yesterday she worked 3.25 hours
overtime. How much money did she make for that time?

Estimation:

Actual Solution:

Answers to Topic B Self-Test

a) Estimation: 3 cm – 1 cm  2 cm
Actual Solution: 2.6 cm – 1.25 cm = 1.35 cm
He has to drill 1.35 cm farther.

b) Estimation: 16 kg  10 days  1.6 kg

Actual Solution: 15.5 kg  12 days = 1.292 kg
Cliff’s chickens eat 1.292 kg of chicken feed every day.

c) Estimation: 5 m  $10  $50

Actual Solution: 6.5 m  $8.95 = $58.18
Mrs. Williams paid $58.18 for the fabric.

d) Estimation: 5 + 3 + 6 + 9  23 hours
Actual Solution: 4.5 + 3.25 + 5.75 + 8.8 = 22.3 hours
Jason worked 22.3 hours last week.

e) Estimation: $13  3 hours  $39

Actual Solution: $12.75  3.25 hours = $41.44
Karla made $41.44 for that time.

Fundamental Mathematics 247

Unit 5 Review
Use the skills you learned in this unit to figure out the best buy:

Item Amount Price Unit Best Buy

price
a) Dish soap 740 ml $3.40

Dish soap 4.3 L $16.10

b) Apples Bag of 7 $ 4.99

Apples 1 $0.75

c) Lined paper 500 sheets $4.49

Lined paper 50 sheets $1.99

d) Dog food 1 can $2.59

Dog food 12 pack $27.97

e) Bread 3 pack $8.99

Bread 1 loaf $2.49

f) Can of soup Case of 9 $ 10.99

Can of soup 3 for the price of 2 $ 2.50

g) Light bulbs Pack of 4 $1.89

Light bulbs Econo pack of 12 $5.97

248 Book 4
 Answers to Review:

Item Amount Price Unit price Best Buy

a) Dish soap 740 ml $3.40 4.59/L

Dish soap 4.3 L $16.10 3.74/L 

b) Apples Bag of 7 $ 4.99 0.71 each 

Apples 1 $0.75 0.75 each

c) Lined paper 500 sheets $4.49 $00.00898 

/sheet
Lined paper 50 sheets $1.99 $0.0398
/sheet

d) Dog food 1 can $2.59 $2.59/can

Dog food 12 pack $27.97 $2.33/can 

e) Bread 3 pack $8.99 $3.00/loaf

Bread 1 loaf $2.49 $2.49/loaf 

f) Can of soup Case of 9 $ 10.99 $1.22/can

Can of soup 3 for the $ 2.50 $0.83/can 
price of 2

g) Light bulbs Pack of 4 $1.89 $0.47/bulb 

Light bulbs Econo pack $5.97 $0.50/bulb

of 12

Fundamental Mathematics 249

 Test time!

Please see your instructor

to get your practice test.

When you are confident,

you can write your unit 5 test.

Congratulations!

250 Book 4