Sales Tax, Tip & Discount: Checkout Challenge
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The lab
⭐ CHECKOUT CHALLENGE — A REAL-WORLD MONEY LAB ⭐
What students do
- You're Treating — step into a real group-lunch scenario with a clear “I can” target
- Decode the Receipt — read an authentic, itemized restaurant receipt (subtotal, tax, tip, total)
- Build the Total by Hand — compute sales tax and tip and find the real total, no calculator
- Your Checkout Calculator — four “what-if” tasks in a self-calculating spreadsheet
- Two Coupons, Make the Call — compare a flat $8 off vs. 15% off and justify the better deal with the numbers
- Show What You Know — a scored mastery check on a fresh bill
- Reality Check — reflection + a real-world connection
Real math, done right
The percent work (7.RP.A.3) is done BY the student — twice, by hand, and it's assessed. Sales tax (7%, Indiana's rate) and an 18% tip are clearly labeled as realistic examples, not universal facts — students learn tax varies by state and tip is a personal choice. Every number is verified and consistent to the cent.
Print or digital
Print-and-go, or assign the editable Word packet in Google Docs and the calculator in Google Sheets. No devices today? A Printed Calculator Readouts page lets a fully print-only class run the whole lab.
What is included
- 10-page student lab (PDF + editable Word)
- Self-calculating spreadsheet (Excel / Google Sheets)
- 2-page teacher guide with full answer key + 10-point rubric
- Printed Calculator Readouts (print fallback) + Terms of Use
More Money Labs
Standard codes refer to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Math Class 678 is an independent publisher, not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by NGA Center or CCSSO. Every product is sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.