Why does my child give the discount instead of the new price?
Your child gives the amount of the change, such as the discount or the interest, instead of the new total.
Why children do it
The change, such as the discount or the interest, is what children work out first, so it feels like the answer. But many questions then ask for the total: the new price, or the amount in the account. Reading the last sentence of the question again catches it.
How to help at home
Ask them to read the last sentence of the question again: what is it asking for?
The right way
A $160 jacket is reduced by 10%. What is the new price?
- 160 × 10/100 = 16Find 10% of $160: that's how much it goes down.
- 160 − 16 = 144Subtract it, because the price goes down.
- $144The new price.
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Start the free checkRelated mistakes
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