Unit 8. Basic math.
(Email)
To: Charles Gordon
From: Barbara Welch
Re: Cost of Materials Order
Charles,
You asked why the order was so expensive. We need about two and a half bags of concrete for each structure. I rounded up to three bags per structure. There are ten structures. When you multiply that, it equals thirty bags. That part of the order was $150. The cost of concrete plus the cost of rebar came to over $600. When you add shipping costs, it totals $650.
I can subtract a few items to save money. The total minus the cost of rebar is around $175. Or, we can make several payments. The bill divided by three payments is about $215. We could pay the remainder with the last payment. Let me know what you prefer.
Barbara.
1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.
1. What calculations increase a total number?
2. What calculations decrease a total number?
Reading
2. Read the email about the cost of materials. Then, mark the statements as true (T) or false (F).
1_The company is working on thirty structures.
2_The cost of rebar was more expensive than the cost of concrete.
3_Shipping costs were about $175.
Vocabulary
3 Match the words (1-5) with the definitions (A-E).
1_subtract
2_multiply
3_add
4_round up
5_divide
A. to increase a number to a greater whole number, often ending in zero
B. to split a number into equal amounts
C. to take one number away from another
D. to combine two or more numbers
E. to add one number to itself a specific number of times
4. Read the sentence and choose the correct word.
1. The charges together plus/come to $35.50.
2. Twelve minus/plus five equals 17.
3. What is the remainder/multiply when you divide 16 by 3?
4. Nineteen add/minus four is fifteen.
5. Ten minus two equals/rounds up six plus two.
5. Listen and read the email about the cost of materials again. What are some ways to describe a total amount after items are added together?
Listening
6. Listen to a conversation between a clerk and a construction company manager. Choose the correct answers.
1. What is the conversation mainly about?
A. rounding up a total
B. adding items to an order
C. subtracting shipping costs
D. dividing payments for an order
2. What is true of the total?
A. the woman wants to divide it.
B. the man added to it incorrectly.
C. it is lower after subtracting items.
D. it does not include shipping costs.
7. Listen again and complete the conversation.
Clerk: Okay, Ms. Hoffman, I'll 1_______your invoice. What can i do for you?
Manager: I have to 2__________of my order.
Clerk: Sure. 3___________beams do you need?
Maneger: I want to 4_________to the original fifteen.
Clerk: So fifteen 5________five is twenty. Your new total 6_________$976.12.
Speaking
8. With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.
USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:
What can I do…
I'd like to…
Your new total …
Student A: You are a clerk. Talk to Student B about:
· A change to an order
· What kind of change is needed
· The new total for the order
Student B: You are a construction company manager. Talk to Student A about a change to an order.
Writing
9. Use the email and conversation from Task 8 to fill out the invoice.
Gibbs Building Supply
Confirmation of Changes
Customer:________________
Item:____________________
Original order:____________
New order:_______________
New cost:________________
Explanation of changes:_____
Приложение: