Help your students become savvy shoppers with What’s the Deal? Worksheets - a real-world maths activity designed to develop money skills, percentage understanding and critical thinking. In each task, students must compare two similar purchasing deals and determine which saves the most money. It's a practical and engaging way to build decision-making skills while reinforcing financial literacy concepts.

This worksheet-based resource encourages students to practise calculating percentage discounts, applying price comparisons, and understanding terminology like "half price" or "cash back". Each comparison challenges students to analyse the maths behind the deal - not just go with what sounds better!

With three differentiated versions included, this resource is perfect for mixed-ability classrooms, numeracy groups or targeted intervention sessions. It’s low-prep, curriculum-aligned and flexible for individual, pair or small group work.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Apply knowledge of percentages to real-world problems
• ✅ Develop financial literacy through comparison of savings
• ✅ Improve decision-making using mathematical reasoning
• ✅ Recognise and interpret common sale terms and pricing language
• ✅ Strengthen mental and written strategies for calculating percentages

What’s Included:

• Version 1: Simple percentage discounts and price comparisons
• Version 2: Discounts using percentages and “half price” language
• Version 3: More complex comparisons including “cash back” terminology
• Answer sheet for teacher use or self-checking

Materials Needed:

• Printed worksheets (individual or small group use)
• Pencils or markers
• Optional: calculators for scaffolding or time-saving
• Write-and-wipe sleeves if reusing the activity

How to Use:

1. Introduce the concept of comparing savings and how discounts work.
2. Model one worksheet example as a class, identifying keywords and strategies.
3. Assign a version appropriate to each student’s level for independent work.
4. Allow time for students to discuss their choices and reasoning with peers.
5. Review answers and reflect on common pitfalls or misunderstandings together.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as a warm-up or consolidation task during a money or percentage unit.
• 💡 Include in a numeracy rotation for small group financial problem-solving.
• 💡 Pair with a classroom shop activity - compare real products and deals.
• 💡 Turn into a game show-style quiz where students vote on the best deal and justify their answer.
• 💡 Link to digital catalogues or supermarket flyers for real-world connections.

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Provide highlighters so students can underline key information in each deal.
• 💛 Use calculators for struggling students so the focus stays on reasoning, not computation.
• 💛 Extend capable students by challenging them to create their own deals for classmates to solve.
• 💛 Use laminated versions with whiteboard markers for reusable practice in maths groups.

What’s the Deal? Worksheets make real-world maths both fun and functional. Engage your students with practical percentage problems that help them become confident, money-wise thinkers!