Choosing with a Fixed Budget
Add the prices, compare the cost with the pretend budget, and find any money left.
About 10 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- Paper and pencil; drawing or spoken answers are welcome.
- Topic notes: Fits with money left: the total cost is strictly below the stated budget. Exceeds the limit: the total cost is greater than the stated budget. Exactly uses the limit: the total cost equals the stated budget. Money remaining: the budget amount left after the stated spending.
- Original exercise cards: Fictional budget $8; selected item costs $6. / Fictional budget $7; selected item costs $9. / Fictional budget $9; items cost $4 and $5. / Fictional budget $10; spending $6 leaves $4. What does the $4 represent? / Fictional budget $10; items cost $6 and $5. / Fictional budget $12; items cost $7 and $5. / Fictional budget $15; spending $8 leaves $7. What does the $7 represent? / Fictional budget $10; items cost $4 and $5.
Learn the idea
A budget limit means not every possible purchase fits. A cost is the amount used for an item. Affordable means the total fits the stated limit, not that an item is useful or necessary. Money remaining equals the limit minus spending. All amounts here are fictional.
Fits with money left: the total cost is strictly below the stated budget. Exceeds the limit: the total cost is greater than the stated budget. Exactly uses the limit: the total cost equals the stated budget. Money remaining: the budget amount left after the stated spending.
Add the selected costs. Compare the total with the budget. If asked about money left, subtract spending from the budget. Ask an adult to read the notes and cards aloud. Point, draw or say your answer.
- Ask an adult to read the four notes. Find the words Fits with money left, Exceeds the limit, Exactly uses the limit, Money remaining.
- Add the selected costs. Compare the total with the budget. If asked about money left, subtract spending from the budget.
- Read the worked answer. Then try the other cards and explain which words helped you choose.
- Point to, draw or say two different examples: one for Fits with money left and one for Exceeds the limit. Explain how their clues differ.
See the method in action
Fictional budget $8; the selected item costs $6. Compare 6 with 8: 6 is strictly smaller, so the choice fits with money left. Subtract spending from the limit: $8 − $6 = $2 remaining. The cost does not exactly use the budget and does not exceed it. This calculation tests the supplied limit; it does not establish whether the item is needed or every purchase is affordable.
Check your reasoning
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Helpful tips
- Add the selected costs. Compare the total with the budget. If asked about money left, subtract spending from the budget.
- If you are unsure, ask an adult to read the card again. Match what this card says; do not add a new event or detail.
See the answer and explanation
Exceeds the limit
The selected cost is $9. It is greater than the $7 budget. It exceeds the limit by $2: $9 − $7 = $2.
Take it further
New card: “Fictional budget $10; items cost $4 and $5.” Match it with a note, then point to or say the words that helped. Check: The selected cost is $9 (4 + 5 = 9). It is less than the $10 budget. The choice fits with money left: $10 − $9 = $1.
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More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.
Check the subject sources
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