Subtracting Decimals:

Presidential Problems at the Pizza

Place
Fifth Grade Math

by M Knutson April 7, 2017

Students will practice subtracting decimal numbers by calculating the total of prominent political figures’ meals
at a pizzeria. Then, students can create and solve their own word problems using the menu on the activity.

Learning Objectives

Students will calculate differences using decimal numbers to the tenths and hundredths.

Materials and preparation

Class set of the Presidential Problems at The

Pizza Place! worksheet
Whiteboard and/or document camera

Attachments

Presidential Problems at The Pizza Place (PDF)

Introduction (10 minutes)

Ask students how they know if a number is more than or less than one. The purpose is to get them
thinking about partial numbers and how we write them. They may provide answers that suggest fractions
or decimals.
Now ask students how they know if a decimal number is less than one.
Write the number 14.36 (or something similar) on the board. Ask students which part of that number is
less than one.
Emphasize that the decimal is a very important marker that is boundary between whole numbers and
numbers less than one whole.
Inform students that they will be reviewing how to add and subtract decimals to the hundredths by
calculating the meal totals of some famous politicians.

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling (10 minutes)

Discuss how decimal numbers are similar to our system of money. Point out that they are both base ten,
so the place values increase by multiples of 10 as you move to the left and decrease by multiples of 10 to
the right.
Review place value from the thousandths down to the hundredths. Explain that a one in the hundredths
place is equal to one cent (1/100 of a dollar), and a one in the tenths is equal to a dime (1/10 of a dollar),
and so on.
Tell students that the decimal is the most important thing to pay attention to when subtracting (and
adding) decimals.
Model subtraction of decimal numbers on the board for the class. Explain that it is the same as any other
subtraction but they need to first line up the decimals. Start with numbers to the tenths, like 14.5 - 6.9,
then show an example of decimals to the hundredths.

Get more lesson plans at https://www.education.com/lesson-plans/

Guided Practice (10 minutes)

Distribute the Presidential Problems at The Pizza Place! worksheet.

Read the instructions together and discuss the first problem. Model identifying pertinent information (by
circling or underlining) and showing calculations in the space provided.
Write the answer in a complete sentence.
Have students complete number two on their own or with a partner.
Review the process and solution.

Independent working time (20 minutes)

Instruct students to complete the next two problems independently and then create two of their own
subtraction problems using the menu.

Differentiation

Support: Allow students to check their answers with a calculator after each one and revisit any errors in
their process with your or a friend.

Enrichment: Challenge students to design menu problems also using division and multiplication.

Assessment (5 minutes)

Pose the question, "What is the difference between Barack and Michelle’s total and Donald and Melania’s
total?"
Have students write the problem (showing their work) and their solution on a piece of scratch paper.
Either spot check or collect.

Review and closing (5 minutes)

Call on a few students to share aloud the problems they authored as teacher challenges. Have students
read the problem while you (or another adult or students in the room) solve it in front of the class.
Discuss, "What was challenging about this activity? What strategies did you use to deal with that
challenge? Did they work?"

Get more lesson plans at https://www.education.com/lesson-plans/

Na m e Date

PRESIDENTIAL
PROBLEMS at the pizza place
Presidents past and present love to eat at
Presidential Pizza! Use the menu to help
calculate their bills.

Show your work and write your answer in

a complete sentence. In the last row, create
your own problem using the menu, and
challenge a friend to solve it.

Menu of the Day

Presidential Pizza Palace

Pizzas 12 inch 15 inch 20 inch

Four Cheese Pizza $11.50 $15.65 $21.9
Pizza Margherita $12.50 $16.45 $22.85
Neapolitan Pizza $13.25 $17.95 $16.25
Vegetarian Pizza $9.90 $12.35 $23.90
Vegan Pizza $12.30 $17.05 $22.15
Spicy Pizza $7.50 $10.00 $13.00

Sides Small Medium Large

Soup of the Day $7.95 $8.95 $9.95
Mixed Green Salad $7.05 $8.05 $9.05
Kale $9.45 $11.45 $13.45

Beverages Small Medium Large

Italian Soda $1.95 $2.50 $3.00
Iced Tea $3.95 $5.10 $6.00
Lemonade $0.95 $1.50 $2.25
 Na m e Date

PRESIDENTIAL
PROBLEMS at the pizza place
show your work solution in a sentence

1 The Obamas share a 15-inch

Neapolitan Pizza, a medium
Mixed Green Salad, and a
medium Iced Tea. They also
receive a $9.99 Earl y Bird
discount. How much is the
total bill?

2 The Kennedys enjoy a small

side of Kale, a large Vegan
Pizza, and one large Italian
Soda each. The manager
gives them a $10.49 discount
for slow service. How much is
the total bill?

3 The Roosevelts order a small

Spicy Pizza, a small Four
Cheese Pizza, two large
lemonades, and a small Mixed
Green Salad. They appl y a
25% off cupon to the order.
How much is the total?

4 The Lincolns eat a large

Vegetarian Pizza, a large side
of Kale, and two small Iced
Teas. They appl y a $5.99
cupon plus an additional $2.95
discount. How much is the
total bill?