ASCENTLEARNING
Join a weekly class
Skip to learning content
YEAR 5 · MONEY AND PRACTICAL PROBLEMS · 15 MIN

Consumer goals

Set a clear purchase goal, compare suitable offers and calculate a saving plan that reaches the target.

In this lesson

Before you start
  • Multiplication and division facts
  • Simple budgets
01 / LEARN

Understand the idea.

Make the goal clear

State what a purchase must do before comparing prices. A cheaper bag is unsuitable if the item will not fit inside it. A useful consumer goal includes purpose, required quantity and a spending limit.

Compare the total price for the same useful quantity. Check how many packs are needed and include delivery or other charges. The smallest price on one pack may lead to a larger final cost.

Find a workable saving plan

To plan saving, subtract the money already held from the target price. Divide the remaining amount by the weekly saving. Check the resulting number of weeks by rebuilding the total.

When savings arrive once each week, part of another week means waiting for the next whole payment. Check the last insufficient week and the first sufficient week. Explain any choice using both suitability and cost.

02 / WORKED EXAMPLES

See the method in action.

EXAMPLE 01

Reach a target

Ella wants a 46-dollar drawing set. She has 14 dollars and saves 8 dollars a week. How many weeks are needed?

Worked solution

  1. 1

    Find the amount still needed.

    46−14=32 dollars

    Ella already has 14 dollars towards the drawing set.

  2. 2

    Find how many weekly savings supply it.

    32÷8=4 weeks

    Each completed week adds another 8 dollars.

  3. 3

    Check the target is reached.

    14+4×8=46 dollars

    Four weeks produces exactly the required price.

Answer

4 weeks

EXAMPLE 02

Compare equal quantities

The class needs 12 pencils. A pack of 6 costs 5 dollars; a pack of 12 costs 9 dollars. Which is cheaper for 12 pencils?

Worked solution

  1. 1

    Find the number of small packs needed.

    12÷6=2 packs

    The comparison must supply all 12 pencils.

  2. 2

    Calculate the small-pack total.

    2×5=10 dollars

    Two packs must both be paid for.

  3. 3

    Compare with the large pack.

    10−9=1 dollar

    One 12-pencil pack supplies the same quantity for 1 dollar less.

Answer

The pack of 12 saves 1 dollar.

03 / YOUR TURN

Try it yourself.

Check your understanding

A game costs 29 dollars. You have 9 dollars and save 6 dollars a week. How many whole weeks are needed?

Show answer & reasoning

4 weeks

The amount still needed is 29−9=20 dollars. Three weeks save 3×6=18 dollars, too little; four save 4×6=24 dollars. Therefore four whole weeks are needed.

Keep practising

6 worksheet questions · 14 marks

Open worksheet Worked solutions
Read the questions online
  1. A goal costs 38 dollars and you have 17 dollars. How much more is needed?
    2 marks
  2. You need 24 more dollars and save 6 dollars weekly. How many weeks?
    2 marks
  3. A goal costs 50 dollars. You have 14 dollars and save 8 dollars weekly. How many whole weeks?
    3 marks
  4. You need 10 books. A pack of 5 costs 7 dollars; a pack of 10 costs 13 dollars. Choose the cheaper total and find the saving.
    2 marks
  5. Store A sells a ball for 18 dollars plus 5 dollars delivery. Store B sells the same ball for 22 dollars with free delivery. Which total is lower?
    2 marks
  6. A folder must lie flat across the width of a bag. It is 30 cm wide. Bag A is 25 cm wide and costs 15 dollars. Bag B is 35 cm wide and costs 20 dollars. Give a sensible choice.
    3 marks
Read the worked solutions

Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.

  1. A goal costs 38 dollars and you have 17 dollars. How much more is needed?
    2 marks

    38−17=21.

    21 dollars
  2. You need 24 more dollars and save 6 dollars weekly. How many weeks?
    2 marks

    24÷6=4.

    4 weeks
  3. A goal costs 50 dollars. You have 14 dollars and save 8 dollars weekly. How many whole weeks?
    3 marks

    Need 50−14=36 dollars.

    Four weeks give 32 dollars, too little.

    Five weeks give 40 dollars, enough.

    5 weeks
  4. You need 10 books. A pack of 5 costs 7 dollars; a pack of 10 costs 13 dollars. Choose the cheaper total and find the saving.
    2 marks

    Two small packs cost 2×7=14 dollars.

    14−13=1.

    One pack of 10 saves 1 dollar.
  5. Store A sells a ball for 18 dollars plus 5 dollars delivery. Store B sells the same ball for 22 dollars with free delivery. Which total is lower?
    2 marks

    A: 18+5=23 dollars.

    B: 22 dollars.

    23−22=1.

    Store B by 1 dollar.
  6. A folder must lie flat across the width of a bag. It is 30 cm wide. Bag A is 25 cm wide and costs 15 dollars. Bag B is 35 cm wide and costs 20 dollars. Give a sensible choice.
    3 marks

    Compare with 30 cm: 25<30 and 35>30.

    A cheaper bag that cannot fit the folder does not meet this goal.

    Bag B fits the stated goal; Bag A is too narrow.
Checking saved progress…
Curriculum reference & lesson scope

Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026

Practical models; immediate/future financial plans; consumer goals; ethical/sustainable choices.

Official curriculum source ↗

Save your next step.

Create a free account to save your learning progress. Lessons and downloads stay free, with or without an account.

Create free account