Idea 8of 23Builds onCompare the price for one
Bigger is not always cheaper
Is the biggest box always the best buy?
Today you'll discover
- when a big pack costs more
- how to check with unit prices
- why you should always check
Think first400 g for $4.00, or 800 g for $8.80
Cereal: 400 g for $4.00, or 800 g for $8.80. Which costs less per 100 g?
Decide first, then press Next. Compare the price for each 100 g, not the size of the box.
Two boxes of cereal, 400 g for $4.00 and a box twice as tall, 800 g for $8.80. Bars under the tags are cut into 4 and 8 parts of 100 g. Then $4.00 ÷ 4 = $1.00 and $8.80 ÷ 8 = $1.10. Along the bottom, the $1.00 bar is shorter and ticked: less per 100 g. The last step asks about 8 markers for $6.00 or 12 for $9.60.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
A bigger pack is not always cheaper: check its unit price before you buy.
Twice the size
400 g for $4.00. At the same rate, 800 g would be $8.00. The big box is $8.80: 80¢ more.
- 400 g$4.00
- 800 g, same rate$8.00
- 800 g, real price$8.80
Easy to get wrongBuying in bulk usually saves money, but stores sometimes price the big size higher. Only the unit price tells you.
Key word
- bulk
- a large amount bought at once, often, but not always, at a lower unit price
Ready to use it?
- Check whether the bigger pack is the better value.
- Explain why the smaller pack can win.