Strawberry Picking and Eating: An Engaging Math Problem Explained

Strawberries are a popular fruit not just for their sweet taste but also for their numerous benefits. Children and adults alike enjoy picking and eating strawberries, but did you know that this activity involves some interesting math problems? Let's explore one of these problems and solve it step by step.

Problem Statement

Thabo is picking strawberries. For every 5 strawberries she puts in a basket, she eats 2. If she picks 28 strawberries, how many does she eat and how much does she put in the basket?

Solution Method 1

In the first solution, we break down the process to understand how many strawberries Thabo eats and how many she puts in the basket.

She ends up putting 28 strawberries in her basket and eats 11 of them. We can also find the solution by breaking each lot of strawberries into smaller, manageable parts. Here, we divide the 28 strawberries into portions of 7 (5 for the basket and 2 for eating). This gives us 4 portions. For each of these 4 portions, she eats 2 strawberries and puts 5 strawberries in the basket. Therefore, in total, she eats 4 x 2 8 strawberries and puts 4 x 5 20 strawberries in the basket.

Solution Method 2

Another approach to solve this problem is to use the ratio of strawberries put in the basket and eaten.

For every 5 strawberries, she eats 2 and puts 3 in the basket. Thus, the initial picking process is broken down into: First, she picks 5, eats 2, and puts 3 in the basket, making the first batch of 6 strawberries (5 1). She picks 5 again, eats another 2, and puts 3 more in the basket, making the second batch of 6 strawberries (5 1). This process continues until the final picking and putting, where she only has 3 strawberries left to put in the basket. At the end, she has picked 28 strawberries, eaten 10, and put 18 in the basket.

Alternate Calculations

We can also use the ratio of 5 (in the basket) and 2 (eaten) to come to our answer.

5 2 7 strawberries in each lot. 28 ÷ 7 4 lots. So, 4 lots of 5 put in the basket 20 strawberries put in the basket. 4 lots of 2 eaten 8 strawberries eaten.

It is worth mentioning that this problem could have an additional twist if Thabo had an allergic reaction to strawberries, as hinted in the last part of the problem description. However, that does not affect the math problem and can be a fun extra element to the story.

Conclusion

This simple yet engaging math problem not only helps in improving basic arithmetic skills but also makes learning fun. By understanding and solving such problems, students can develop their problem-solving skills and critical thinking, which are important in all areas of life. Whether you are picking strawberries or solving math problems, every step can be educational and enjoyable!