Unit prices

Learning Objectives Define the term 'unit price' in their own words. Calculate the unit price of an item using division when given the total price and quantity. Compare the unit prices of two different items to determine the 'better buy'. Solve one-step and two-step word problems involving unit prices. Explain why the item with the lowest total price is not always the best value. Correctly write a unit price using dollar and cent notation (e.g., $0.50 per apple). Have you ever wondered if it's a better deal to buy a big bag of 10 cookies or two small bags of 5 cookies each? 🍪 Let's find out how math can make you a super-smart shopper! In this lesson, we will learn about 'unit prices'. A unit price tells you the cost of just ONE of so...

TermDefinitionExample PriceThe total amount of money you have to pay for an item or a group of items.A box of 8 crayons costs $4.00. The price is $4.00. QuantityThe number of items you are getting for a certain price.A box of 8 crayons costs $4.00. The quantity is 8 crayons. UnitA single item or a single measure of something (like one crayon, one ounce, or one can).In a box of 8 crayons, one single crayon is the unit. Unit PriceThe cost for one single unit of an item. It helps you compare items fairly.If 8 crayons cost $4.00, the unit price is $0.50 for one crayon. Better BuyThe item that has the lowest unit price. It's also called the 'best value'.If Brand A pencils are $0.25 each and Brand B pencils are $0.30 each, Brand A is the better buy.

The Unit Price Formula \text{Unit Price} = \frac{\text{Total Price}}{\text{Quantity}} To find the cost of one item, you divide the total price by the number of items (the quantity). Always put the money on top in your division problem! The Comparison Rule \text{Lower Unit Price} = \text{Better Buy} When comparing two products, calculate the unit price for each one. The product with the smaller unit price is the better deal because you pay less for each single item.