Compare Prices

Compare the prices carefully

When you compare prices, the goal is to decide which option is cheaper, more expensive, or how much one costs compared with the other. If the exercise asks for a final answer, simplify it before writing it down.

1) Put the prices in the same form

Read each price carefully. Make sure you are comparing the same unit or the same kind of quantity. If needed, rewrite them so they are easy to compare directly.

2) Compare the values

• The smaller amount is the cheaper price.
• The larger amount is the more expensive price.
• If you need a difference, subtract the smaller price from the larger one.

3) Simplify the answer

If your result can be reduced or written more neatly, do that before finishing. For example, keep the final difference as a simple number.

4) Check your work

Ask yourself:

• Did I compare the correct prices?
• Did I subtract in the right order?
• Is my final answer simplified?

A quick check is to estimate the prices first. Your final comparison or difference should match that estimate.