A Sweet Real-World Challenge permalink
Candy is sold by weight, not by number of pieces—but when you’re planning for hundreds of students, that difference matters.
In this Math Is Messy task, students reason about how many candies might come in a 4-lb, 5-lb, or 8-lb box when the package doesn’t list piece counts. They make assumptions, estimate, and test their models to decide how much to buy for an event serving 350 students.
🍬 Download the Free Handout permalink
🧮 Grades: 6–10
⏱️ Time: 30–45 minutes
Skills: Estimation • Ratios & Proportions • Modeling • Reasoning
⬇️ Download the Student Handout (PDF)
(Teacher Guide coming soon!)
Why This Task Works permalink
This activity builds number sense and reasoning rather than focusing on exact computation. Students:
- Use unit rates and proportional reasoning to make sense of messy, real data.
- Debate assumptions (equal mix by type, weight, or count).
- Communicate and justify their modeling choices.
Because it’s context-neutral—no direct mention of Halloween—you can use it any time of year when exploring estimation or modeling.
Extend the Discussion permalink
- Compare chocolate vs fruity mixes by price per pound.
- Explore fairness: what does “equal” mean when pieces differ in size or value?
- Connect to data science: how could sampling or simulation improve your estimate?
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