Choose an activity below to accompany each chapter of Mathematics with Business Applications. Be resourceful. If a hot link does not take you to a site, use the hot linked term with your favorite search engine. Choose a Web site that will help you complete the assignment.

Chapter 1 What Career Will Best Suit You?
What are you going to do when you grow up? It's a question you've been asked since you were a child. Take a few career tests to help you decide what type of career path you might pursue. Develop an analysis of your personality traits and how they can help you reach your career goals. Share your results with the class.

Chapter 2 The U.S. Government Wants a Piece of Your Paycheck
If you work and earn money, you have to pay income tax. Figure out whether you should file a tax return for the upcoming year. What types of income do you need to declare and what types of deductions can you claim? Can you file electronically or do you need to fill out a conventional return? Make a checklist of what you need to consider when filing a tax return and share your results with the class.

Chapter 3 Creating a Monthly Budget
One of the best ways to make sure that you have enough money for expenses when you need it is to prepare a monthly budget. Use an online monthly budget sheet to create a monthly budget that will help you manage your money. Compare your budget with the rest of the class.

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Chapter 4 Balancing Your Checking Account
Do you know how much cash is in your checking account? If not, you risk having your account overdrawn and being charged a penalty fee. The best way to balance your checking account is to prepare a bank reconciliation statement every month. Prepare a bank reconciliation statement with your most recent bank statement. Figure out where most of your money is going and present your findings in a paper.

Chapter 5 Saving for the Future
No matter how young you are, it's important to save for the future. You may want to buy a car, move into an apartment, or need money for an emergency. One way to save money is to regularly put money in a savings account. Create a savings plan which includes your goal, how much you should save each month, and how long it will take you to reach your goal. Share your savings plan with the class.

Chapter 6 Comparing State Sales Tax Rates
When determining the final cost of a major purchase, you have to figure in the additional money you'll pay depending on your state's sales tax rate. Compute the final price of a jacket that costs $79.99 in three states with different sales tax rates. Discuss with your class why you think different states have different sales tax rates.

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Chapter 7 Establishing Good Credit
Establishing a good credit record is essential to getting a loan for a major purchase, such as a car. One of the ways young people can begin to establish good credit is through the use of a student credit card. Develop a plan to help you establish and maintain a good credit record over the next year. Share your plan with the class.

Chapter 8 Financial Planning for College
The first big loan many young people get is a financial aid loan to help pay for college. Research how to apply for a student loan from the government or a college you're interested in attending. Print out any applications you find and review with your class how to complete them.

Chapter 9 Insuring Your Vehicle
Owning and driving a car means taking on a lot of responsibility, including obtaining and paying for automobile insurance. Pick a car you'd like to own and compare the costs of insuring it by three different insurance companies. What are the factors that affect rates, and what can you do to keep your rates down? Share your findings with the class.

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Chapter 10 Insuring Your Belongings
If you rent an apartment or house you might think you don't need insurance. In many cases, however, you're responsible if someone is injured in your residence. Renters insurance can protect you from these costs and cover the loss of your personal property if it's stolen or damaged. Find a renters insurance policy on the Internet and print it out. Make an inventory of your personal belongings, and find out how much it would cost to insure them. Share your findings with the class.

Chapter 11 Health Insurance for Children
Children with inadequate or no health insurance is a national problem. Although the federal and state governments have programs to provide health insurance for children, many people who are eligible aren't aware of them. Go on the Internet, and find out what programs exist in your state. Print out an application. In class, go over the application to find out who is eligible and how to apply.

Chapter 12 Becoming a Financial Investor
One way to save and grow your money is through investing. Learn some investing basics and draw up a plan that outlines what kinds of investments you would like to make and how much you would like to invest in each. Share your plan with the class.

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Chapter 13 Preparing for a Job
After you leave school, you will most likely enter the workforce. There are a number of government resources to help you learn how to navigate the world of work. Learn what resources and advice the U.S. Department of Labor offers young people to help them get started in the job market. Write a ten-step plan to help you prepare for your job search.

Chapter 14 Cost of Producing and Selling a CD
Ever wonder why a CD costs so much? There's more to the cost of producing a CD than paying the performers and making the disc. Find out the factors that go into the cost of a CD. Make a list of those factors and share them with the class. Discuss with the class whether you think the cost of CDs is too high.

Chapter 15 Vacationing on a Discount
Planning to take a big trip one day to Paris or Tokyo? Visit a discount ticket broker Web site and research the costs of a trip that include air travel, a hotel, and a rental car for the length of your stay. Outline your travel plans, including the location, the length, and the costs of your trip, and share them with the class.

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Chapter 16 A Sales Strategy
Some companies make generous use of sales as a marketing tool to bring customers into their stores. Visit the Web site of a popular online clothing retailer and find the section where sale prices are advertised. Calculate the markdown of ten items as a percentage of the regular selling price. Analyze the online retailer's marketing strategy, including the layout and placement of ads, and discuss it with your class.

Chapter 17 Researching a Country's Markets
The U.S. Department of State provides country and industry market research including information about economic and political systems, populations, history, and travel advisories. Choose a country and research the market conditions for introducing a product of your choice to that country. Write a plan for how you would market your product to that country's consumers.

Chapter 18 Moving and Storing Your Stuff
One of the first times many young people deal with their household belongings is when they go to college. You may move out of state or change apartments several times. Each time you move, you have to figure out what to do with your belongings. Research student moving and storage and put together a plan for moving or storing your belongings, such as how much storage space you'll need and how much it will cost you. Share your plan with the class.

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Chapter 19 Financing Your Computer
One of the most important tools you can have for school or business is a personal computer. Visit the Web site of a leading personal computer manufacturer and research what equipment would best suit your needs. Determine the total cost and work out a financing plan that will allow you to pay for the equipment over a period of time. Determine how much you will pay each month in principal and in interest. Share your findings with the class.

Chapter 20 Accounting Ethics
Read about how corporate accounting scandals are affecting business education at the college level. Write a short essay on how corporate social responsibility and ethics should be taught in high school business classes.

Chapter 21 Analyzing Your Personal Balance Sheet
A balance sheet is a financial "snapshot" of a business at a given date in time. Learn about what goes into creating a balance sheet and use a balance sheet template to chart your personal financial situation. Write an analysis of your financial health and develop a plan for improving you personal financial situation.

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Chapter 22 Managing Your Money to Create Wealth
"Manage your money wisely," is advice you often hear. How does one go about managing money wisely? Use personal financial management strategies to develop an approach to creating and growing your wealth. Write an editorial for your school newspaper advising high school students on how they can manage their money to create wealth.

Chapter 23 Short-Term Financial Goals
How do you save money for an expensive item that you want to purchase in the short term? The best way is to develop a short-term financial goal . A short-term financial goal is a goal that can usually be achieved in one year or less. Prioritize your financial goals and develop a savings strategy that will enable you to pay for the expensive item of your choice in the near future. Share your plan with the class.

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