Lesson 9
Solving Rate Problems
Lesson Narrative
In previous lessons, students have used tables of equivalent ratios to reason about unit rates. In this lesson, students gain fluency working with unit rates without scaffolding (MP1). They choose what unit rate they want to use to solve a problem, divide to find the desired unit rate, and multiply or divide by the unit rate to answer questions. They may choose to create diagrams to represent the situations, but the problems do not prompt students to do so. The activity about which animal ran the farthest requires students to use multiple unit rates in a sequence to be able to convert all the measurements to the same unit.
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Apply reasoning about ratios and rates to convert and compare (in writing) distances expressed in different units.
- Apply reasoning about ratios and rates to justify (orally) whether a given price is a good deal.
- Practice grade 5 arithmetic with fractions and decimals.
Student Facing
Let's use unit rates like a pro.
Required Materials
Required Preparation
Print and cut the blackline master so that each group of two students gets five cards A–E (or six cards A–F if you expect students to tackle the extension problem).
Optionally, purchase a four-pack of drinks for demonstration purposes in the Deal or No Deal activity.
Providing access to calculators is optional. All of the calculations in this lesson can be done using grade 5 techniques. If you would like students to practice arithmetic, don't offer calculators. If you think the calculations will present too much of a barrier to grade-level work, make them available.
Learning Targets
Student Facing
- I can choose how to use unit rates to solve problems.
CCSS Standards
Print Formatted Materials
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Cool Down, Teacher Guide, and PowerPoint materials.
Student Task Statements | docx | |
Cumulative Practice Problem Set | docx | |
Cool Down | Log In | |
Teacher Guide | Log In | |
Teacher Presentation Materials | docx | |
Blackline Masters | zip |