ZIP Code Math
Subjects
- Educational Technology
- Mathematics
Arithmetic, Algebra
- Social Studies
Geography
|
Grades
K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
|
Brief Description
Students add or subtract to solve ZIP Code math word problems.
Objective
Students
- use a ZIP Code resource (provided) to solve math word problems.
- perform addition and subtraction operations properly.
Keywords
abbreviation, city, code, equation, geography, math, office, post, state, word problem, ZIP
Materials Needed
- ZIP Code Math student work sheet
- ZIP Code resource (three options below)
- pencil
Lesson Plan
If you add Monticello, IL (Illinois) and Greenfield, IN (Indiana) together, you get 107,996. It's a simple matter of adding the ZIP Code for Monticello (61856) to the ZIP Code for Greenfield (46140). 61856 + 46140 = 107,996!
Provide students with copies of the ZIP Code Math work sheet and let them use ZIP Codes to figure sums and differences. (This lesson could be easily adapted for practice in multiplication and division too.) Answers appear in the Assessment section below.
ZIP Code Sources
To complete this activity, students will need access to a ZIP Code directory. Students can get ZIP Codes in any of the following ways:
- If students have computer access, they can simply type the name of a location into the United States Postal Service City, State, ZIP Code Associations page. Click on the Process button and the ZIP Code quickly appears.
- Students can use a print version of the USPS ZIP Code directory. Your post office may be able to provide a copy if your school office or library does not keep one on hand.
- Provide students with a list of the ZIP Codes used in this activity. Click ZIP Code Directory for a printable list of those locations and ZIP Codes.
Extension Activity
Have students use atlases or other resources to plot on a U.S. outline map the locations of all the cities and towns included in the ZIP Code Math problems.
Assessment
Students solve the majority of the problems correctly.
ANSWER KEY
1. 60457 + 38544 = 99,001
2. 94806 + 44425 = 139,231
3. 73742 - 11158 = 62,224
4. 63119 - 29036 = 34,083
EXTRA! (83837 + 01083) - 59008 = 25,912
Lesson Plan Source
Education World
Submitted By
Gary Hopkins
National Standards
MATHEMATICS: Number and Operations
- GRADES 3 - 5
NM-NUM.3-5.1 Understand Numbers, Ways of Representing Numbers, Relationships Among Numbers, and Number Systems
NM-NUM.3-5.2 Understand Meanings of Operations and How They Relate to One Another
NM-NUM.3-5.3 Compute Fluently and Make Reasonable Estimates
- GRADES 6 - 8
NM-NUM.6-8.1 Understand Numbers, Ways of Representing Numbers, Relationships Among Numbers, and Number Systems
NM-NUM.6-8.2 Understand Meanings of Operations and How They Relate to One Another
NM-NUM.6-8.3 Compute Fluently and Make Reasonable Estimates
- GRADES 9 - 12
NM-NUM.9-12.1 Understand Numbers, Ways of Representing Numbers, Relationships Among Numbers, and Number Systems
NM-NUM.9-12.2 Understand Meanings of Operations and How They Relate to One Another
NM-NUM.9-12.3 Compute Fluently and Make Reasonable Estimates
SOCIAL SCIENCES: Geography
TECHNOLOGY
See more geography lesson ideas on the Education World
Geography page. Click to return to the
Fifty States lesson plan page.
Originally published 09/06/2002
Links last updated 04/24/2009