If your class wants to raise money for any purpose, the process involves math from start to finish. Making and selling something is a time-honoured method of raising money. I’ll use Rice Krispies® squares (recipe follows) as an example here, but many other recipes or objects would work in a similar way.
Here are some of the math connections that might come up as the class works on this moneymaking project:
- Estimate how many pieces you will be able to sell.
- Using the large batch recipe below, figure out how many batches will give the number of squares you estimate you will be able to sell.
- Make a list of supplies and shop for them. Make a note of the cost of the supplies.
- Make the squares.
- Wrap each piece and make a label that gives nutritional information for each piece. (The large batch recipe uses whole packages of cereal and
marshmallow, so it is a simple matter to add the information on the package labels. The information on the label of the butter or margarine will
have to be calculated for the amount you use. Then divide by the number of pieces you cut.)
- Figure out the cost per serving, and decide how much you will charge.
- After the sale, compare your actual sales with estimated sales. Figure out your profit.
- How can you make them healthier? Try some small batches with a different kind of cereal (less sugar) or make your own marshmallows (less sugar)
or ???
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