Family Math Support All family guides
Back to family guides
Unit 4: Arcade Builder Lesson 4-5 6.AT.4

Use Percent to Solve Problems

I can solve problems involving discounts, markups, tax, and tips using percents.

Speaking and writing goal: I can explain my solution using the words discount, markup, tax, tip, and percent.

What Your Child Is Learning

In this lesson, students practice how to solve problems involving discounts, markups, tax, and tips using percents. They learn to show their thinking with numbers, pictures, words, or a model. The goal is not just getting an answer. Students should be able to explain why the answer makes sense.

Why This Matters

This math shows up in shopping, recipes, sports scores, speed, discounts, and comparing choices. It helps students decide what is fair, what is a better deal, and how quantities change together.

What It May Look Like In Class

Your child may use the interactive lesson, guided notes, examples from the board, partner talk, and short practice problems. They may be asked to solve, draw a model, label important numbers, and explain their reasoning in a sentence.

How You Can Help At Home

You do not need to teach a new method. Ask your child to read the problem out loud, circle the important numbers, and explain what they tried first. Helpful questions include: What do you know? What are you trying to find? Does your answer make sense?

Apoyo para familias en español

Qué está aprendiendo su hijo/a

En esta lección, su hijo/a practica comparar cantidades y explicar relaciones. Puede usar dibujos, números, palabras o modelos para mostrar su pensamiento. Lo más importante es que pueda explicar por qué su respuesta tiene sentido.

Por qué es importante

Esta matemática aparece en recetas, compras, deportes, descuentos y comparaciones. Ayuda a los estudiantes a decidir qué es justo o cuál opción conviene más.

Cómo puede ayudar en casa

No necesita ser experto/a en matemáticas. Pídale a su hijo/a que lea el problema en voz alta, marque los números importantes y explique su primer paso. Puede preguntar: ¿Qué sabes? ¿Qué necesitas encontrar? ¿Tu respuesta tiene sentido?

Key Vocabulary

Discount Descuento

Money taken off the first price to make it cheaper.

Markup Recargo (margen)

Money added to the cost to set the selling price.

Tax Impuesto

Extra money added to a price for the government.

Tip Propina

Extra money you give for good service.

Percent Porcentaje

A way to compare a number to 100, shown with the % sign.

Try It Together

Pick one or two problems. Let your child explain the first step before opening the answer.

  1. There are 2 red tiles for every 3 blue tiles. Write the ratio of red to blue.
    Show answer

    2:3

  2. A pack of 4 pens costs $8. What is the cost for 1 pen?
    Show answer

    $2

  3. What is 25% of 40?
    Show answer

    10

  4. A recipe uses 3 cups of flour for 12 cookies. How much flour for 24 cookies?
    Show answer

    6 cups