Use of Math in Shopping: Mathematics is used for studying numbers, shapes, patterns, and how they relate to each other. It’s not just about using math to solve equations or doing calculations; it’s a way of finding solutions and making sense of the world. The use of Math is the part of our daily life whether it is cooking, exercising, shopping and what not.
In this article, we will be discussing how math is used in shopping.

Use Of Math in Shopping
There are so many ways in which we use math in shopping.
Discounts
Discounts are given to customers, It is a reduction in the standard price of an item. these discounts are usually in the form of percentages. Example: 20% discount on a 50$ dress. In math these discounts are in percentages.

Example: Aditi got a 40 % discounts on a shirt the original price of the shirt was 600 rupees. Find the new price of the shirt.
Solution:
New price = Original price - Discount amount
Original Price: 600 ₹
Discount Amount Calculation
In order to find the discount amount we will first find 40% of 600
40/100 × 600
= 40 × 6
= 240 ₹
40% of 600 is 240
New price = Original price - Discount amount= 600-240
New price= 360 ₹
Hence, Aditi bought the shirt in 360 rupees
Making Bills
A bill is a final list of all the items bought with their prices. A bill also put the total amount which needs to be payed including all the other taxes if needed. In Math to put the total amount of the items on bill you have to use Addition.
Example Question: Here is a list of what Sam bought in the Grocery store, find the total amount Sam has to pay.
Item | Price |
|---|---|
Butter |
200₹ |
Sugar |
150₹ |
Chips |
20₹ |
Total |
? |
Solution:
In order to find the the total amount we have to add all the prices
200₹ + 150 ₹+ 20₹ = 370 ₹
Hence the total amount which Sam has to pay is 370 ₹
Comparing Prices
Comparing prices involves mathematical operations to determine the best value for money.

Example: You're at a grocery store and you want to buy apples. There are two options available:
Option 1: Bag of 6 apples for $4.50
Option 2: Loose apples priced at $0.80 each
Solution:
To find the best option , you'll calculate the unit price for each option:
For Option 1:
Unit price = Total price / Number of apples
Unit price = $4.50 / 6
Unit price = $0.75 per apple
For Option 2:
Unit price = Price per apple (since they're priced individually)
Unit price = $0.80 per apple
Now you can compare the unit price:
Option 1: $0.75 per apple
Option 2: $0.80 per apple
Hence, the better option is option 1 since it is 0.5 cent less
Finding Balance
Change is the money returned after paying for something with more money than it costs. This involves mathematical operations like Subtraction.
Example: Riya bought an Item worth 72₹, she payed the Shopkeeper 100₹. How much balance will the shopkeeper return?
Solution:
In math, to find the change value
Balance = Amount payed by the customer - Item price
Amount payed: 100₹
Item Price: 72₹
Price Change = 100 - 72 = 28₹
Hence, the change amount which needs to be payed by the shopkeeper is 28₹
Currency Exchange
Mathematics is used in currency exchange when you purchase from an international online store. Suppose you are purchasing a product whose price is mentioned in USD then you need to convert it in rupee

Example: What is the price of a product in USD if its price is 8000 rupees. Given that current exchange value is 80 rupees for 1 USD
Solution:
It is given that 1 USD = 80 Rupees
Hence, 1 Rupee = 1/80 USD
Therefore, 80000 Rupee = (1/80) × 80000 = 1000 USD
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