Re: [MATHEDCC] the "potato salad problem" -- reality check

Roberta S. Lacefield (rsl094@FOX.WAY.PEACHNET.EDU)
Thu, 10 Apr 97 11:58:14 EDT

>>
>Another way in which we are being "charged" for 'non-merchandise' (noticed
>by my dad, an effeciency expert) is when meat is packaged it is weighed
>AFTER it is packaged, so we are paying price per pound for the paper tray
>and plastic wrapping. An interesting question, to which I have no idea of
>the answer, would be: Which costs the store more, ground beef or the
>packaging it comes in? (If it is the packaging, which I seriously doubt, we
>are getting a deal!!)
>

Hmm. I see the potential for a nice percentage problem here! I don't think
it is obvious to my DS students (not much is :-) that if they buy less meat,
a higher percentage of their dollar goes toward paying for their package.
Also, two packages would cost more per pound of meat than one with the same
weight. Ah, the places a little spoiled potato salad can take us!

Roberta

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