Remember: A sure cost and a maybe gain are different kinds of numbers. There is no single right answer, so talk big choices over with a grown-up first.
Read and answer
Read the story first, then answer.
Two roads for Nia's coinsIn the pretend town of Lantern Bay, Nia mended fishing nets and was paid twenty spare coins. Last winter she had borrowed twenty coins from Bea to buy a loom, and the debt was still waiting. Bea charged two extra coins every month. Dov, who ran the orchard co-op, said, "Plant your coins with us. Coins planted here grow about one coin a month, on average." Some months give more and some give less, because nobody can promise the weather. Grandpa Gus drew a table. For the debt, two extra coins a month for three months is six coins, and it is certain, because Bea charges it every month. For the orchard, one coin a month for three months is three coins, but that is only an average, and nobody can promise it, not even Dov. Last year a storm shook coins off the trees, though the trees grew coins again the next spring. Gus said a sure cost and a maybe gain are different kinds of numbers. He added that a safety jar for surprises, whether the debt nags, and when coins are needed all matter, and families weigh them differently. Nia tucked the table in her pocket to talk it over with her mom before picking a road.
1
Bea charges 2 extra coins a month. Count the rings. How many extra coins is that in 3 months?
3 coins2 coins6 coins
2
Look at the picture. The debt's extra is coins more than the orchard's average gain.
3
Bea's 2 extra coins each month are a sure cost, whatever the weather does.
TrueFalse
4
Why is the orchard's coin a month called a maybe?
It is an average, and some months give more and some give lessBea charges itDov will not plant coins
5
Over seven months the orchard's coins climbed, but a climb on average still has months.
freesuredown
Sure or maybe, fix and think
6
Circle every one that is SURE.
The debt's extra coins each monthA great harvest yearOwing Bea twenty coins todayA stormy month with fewer coinsThe extra stops once the debt is gone
7
Number Nia's story.
Nia is paid twenty spare coins
Dov offers the orchard
Nia plans to talk it over with her mom
Gus draws a table to compare
8
Nia says: the orchard's 3 coins in 3 months are as sure as the debt's 6. Is Nia right?
YesNo
9
Circle everything Gus said can matter too.
A safety jar for surprisesHow pretty the orchard isWhether the debt nagsWhich road a friend pickedWhen the coins are needed
10
Bea's extra grows by 2 a month. Look at the table. After 6 months it is coins.
11
Write one question Nia could ask her mom before she picks a road.
12
Draw a bucket with a leak. Draw 2 coin drips for each of 3 months.
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Answer key · Set A
Pay off the debt, or plant the coins?
16 coins 2 + 2 + 2 = 6. Bea charges it every month the debt stays.
23 6 − 3 = 3. One number is sure and the other is only an average.
3True Bea charges the extra every month the debt stays, so it is sure.
4It is an average, and some months give more and some give less An average is not a promise. Nobody can promise the weather, not even Dov.
5down A climb with dips is what a maybe looks like.
6The debt's extra coins each month, Owing Bea twenty coins today, The extra stops once the debt is gone Bea's charge, the twenty owed and the end of the extra are certain. A great year or a storm might come or not, so they are maybes.
71, 2, 4, 3 She is paid first, then comes the offer, then the table, and last the talk at home.
8No The debt's 6 is sure, but the orchard's 3 is only an average. A sure number and a maybe number are different kinds of numbers.
9A safety jar for surprises, Whether the debt nags, When the coins are needed Gus named a safety jar, whether the debt nags, and when coins are needed. Families weigh them differently.
1012 2 × 6 = 12. Each month adds the same 2 coins, and it is sure.
11Your own words: a grown-up reads it.
Mark each answer, count the right ones and write the score on the sheet.