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  • Subject Area

    • Math: Middle Grades Math: Measurement
    • Math: Middle Grades Math: Algebraic Thinking
    • Math: Middle Grades Math: Number Sense
    • Math: PreAlgebra: Measurement
    • Math: PreAlgebra: Number Sense and Operations

  • Author

    Texas Instruments

  • Level

    6-8

  • Activity Time

    60 Minutes

  • Device
    • TI-15 Explorer™
  • Other Materials
      This is Activity 5 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
      Developing Problem-Solving Skills with the TI-15

      The following materials are required for this activity:
    • Recipe: Parmesan Macaroni Casserole
    • Chart paper
    • Markers
    • A 16-ounce jar of peanuts
    • A 15-ounce box of raisins
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Banquet Meal

Activity Overview

Students use proportional reasoning skills to increase a family-size recipe to a banquet-size recipe.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 31 - 37 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • Realize that when multiplying a recipe to make a bigger amount, the proportion of each ingredient must remain the same
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:

  • Determine how many people a family-size recipe for a casserole will feed (6)
  • Determine how many family-size recipes it takes to feed 20 people
  • Create a table of ingredients and the amounts used
  • Calculate the amount of each ingredient required to feed 20 people and tabulate the results


  • Create charts showing the recipe for a casserole for 6 people and for 200 people
  • List the ingredients and calculate the amount of each ingredient needed
  • Find the number of pans needed to cook casserole for 200 people
  • Write an explanation for the calculations
  • After the Activity

    Students present the completed charts to the class.

  • Review student results
  • As a class, evaluate the charts for similarities and differences
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary