Using Number Properties

Problem: “Mrs Norris hires students to work on her garden. She agrees to pay them $400 total.

Diane, Sonya, and Mere work 13 hours, 10 hours, and 17 hours respectively on the garden. How much pay will Sonya receive?”

Discuss why the ratio of hours 13 : 10 : 17 leads to Sonya receiving $100. 
(Answer: 13 + 10 + 17 = 40. 10/40 x 400 = 100.)

Problem: “Two friends buy a house that costs $193,500. Bernie contributes $89,500,  and Bronwyn contributes $104,000. Five years later, they sell it for $234,000. How  much money should each of them receive?
(Answer: Bernie should receive 89500/193500 x 234 000 = $108,233 (to the nearest  dollar), so Bronwyn should receive 234 000 – 108 233 = $125,767.)

Examples: Worksheet (Material Master 8–29).

Understanding Number Properties:

John and June buy a house together. John contributes $g, and June contributes $h. When they sell the house, they receive $t altogether. How would you work out how much John should receive as his share? (Answer: $(g/g+h?) x t.)