Florida B.E.S.T. MA.912.FL.3.5

MathGrades 9–12Describe the advantages and disadvantages of short-term and long-term purchases.

The Standard

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of using cash versus personal financing options.

Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students compare paying the full price now with borrowing and paying over time. They consider total cost, interest, fees, cash available, payment size, and effects on credit.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students calculate the full financed cost and compare it with the cash price. They explain tradeoffs involving interest, fees, available cash, monthly budgets, and credit history.
Common Misconceptions: Students may compare only the monthly payment and ignore interest, fees, and total cost. They may assume cash is always best or that financing is free when an offer says zero interest.
How to Assess It: A laptop costs $900 now or $90 down plus 12 monthly payments of $78. Calculate the financed cost and give one advantage of each payment choice.

Lesson moves

Give pairs $1,000 in play money and a sample loan agreement, then have them model buying the same laptop both ways.
Write a recommendation for someone choosing between paying $800 now or making 18 monthly payments, using cost and budget evidence.
Play a card sort where teams match purchase scenarios with cash, credit card, installment loan, or buy-now-pay-later options.
Compare a local retailer's cash price and financing offer, then calculate the total cost and identify any fees or conditions.

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