🧱 See It
Recall budgeting from earlier levels: planning ahead for a specific, larger purchase (like a bike) by setting aside a fixed amount regularly, and figuring out how long that will take.
✏️ Draw It
| Week | Saved So Far | Enough for $200 bike? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15 | No |
| 2 | $30 | No |
| 3 | $45 | No |
| … | … | … |
| 12 | $180 | No |
| 13 | $195 | No — still $5 short |
| 14 | $210 | Yes |
Saving $15/week, the running total isn't quite enough until week 14 — week 13 leaves $5 still missing.
🔢 Write It
weeks needed = target amount ÷ amount saved per week
If the division doesn't come out to a whole number, ALWAYS round UP. You can't buy something with only 90% of the money saved — a partial week still counts as a full week needed.
💡 Worked Examples
Example 1 — Saving $15/week toward a $200 bike. How many weeks are needed?
- Divide:
200 ÷ 15 = 13.33 - Round UP: 14 weeks
- Check: 13 weeks gives
13 × 15 = $195— not enough. - Check: 14 weeks gives
14 × 15 = $210— enough. - Answer: 14 weeks
Example 2 — A $340 purchase, saving $40/week. How many weeks are needed?
- Divide:
340 ÷ 40 = 8.5 - Round UP: 9 weeks
- Check: 8 weeks gives
8 × 40 = $320— not enough. - Check: 9 weeks gives
9 × 40 = $360— enough. - Answer: 9 weeks
🧠 Quick Reference
Weeks needed = target ÷ weekly savings. ALWAYS round UP, even if the division comes out just barely over a whole number — you need the FULL target amount before you can actually buy anything.