Your project is to compare newspaper ads from local department stores. You will calculate the savings you get at each store. Then you will identify misleading ads.

1. Plan It

Collect newspaper ads. Each group member collects at least ten department store ads from the local Sunday newspaper. Each ad should include an example of a discount.

Newspaper advertisements collected

2. Put It Together Include sales tax.

Find out whether a sales tax applies to your purchase. If it does, add the sales tax to the advertised price you pay.

Compare prices. Where do you get a better price on each item? Does one store seem to offer better prices than other stores? Check to see if the product is the same item. Look especially at the size of the product.

Price and tax determined

3. Wrap It Up

Pair your ads. Match each ad with a similar products.

Make a chart. Create a chart that shows ten pairs of ads for similar products. Include the original price of each product and the discount available at both stores.

Find your savings. Calculate the price you would pay and the savings you would get at each store.

Chart and comparisons completed

4. Discuss Your Results

• How did you use your math skills to find the discount?
• Can you explain how you found the after-tax price of a sale item?
• Is your data shown clearly and completely?
• How well did each group member share ideas?
• Do you think some newspaper ads are misleading? Explain your opinion using the samples you collected.

Review completed