Education Technology

Math TODAY - Home Sales Records

Subject Area
Math: Algebra I: Exponential Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
50 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-84 series
Resource Types
Lessons

Math TODAY - Home Sales Records

Activity Overview

This activity will help students think about the monthly cost to pay back a home loan, how the length of time of the loan and the rate of interest affect monthly payments, and the total cost paid for the house over the length of time for the loan.

Before the Activity

See the attached Teacher Edition PDF file for notes and guidelines for this activity. The Technology Guide PDF file includes step-by-step calculator instructions with screen shots.

During the Activity

Students will:

  • Use USA TODAY® to find interest rates for 30-year and 15-year loans.
  • Express percentages in decimal notation.
  • Use a spreadsheet to compute the monthly payment, total amount paid, and ratio of total amount paid to loan amount for a home mortgage.


  • Directions:
  • Distribute the Student Edition PDF file to your class.
  • Follow the activity procedures outlined in the student document.
  • You may use the Transparency PDF file to display a larger image of the USA TODAY® graphic during the activity.
  • Subject Area
    Math: Algebra I: Exponential Functions
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    50 Minutes
    TI Calculator
    TI-84 series
    Resource Types
    Lessons
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