Printable math worksheet for students to practice comparing unit rates through real-world word problems, with a fun cartoon cat illustration.

Let's solve each problem step by step and find the difference in unit rates as requested. We'll express answers as mixed numbers, simplified fractions, or exact decimals.

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1. Marlene is trying to decide which is the better buy for colored pens at the craft store. For Brand G, she would spend $54 and get 12 pens. For Brand H, 16 pens would cost $80.

Find: Difference in price per pen (in dollars per pen)

#### Step 1: Find unit rate for Brand G
- Cost: $54 for 12 pens
- Price per pen = $ \frac{54}{12} = 4.5 $

#### Step 2: Find unit rate for Brand H
- Cost: $80 for 16 pens
- Price per pen = $ \frac{80}{16} = 5 $

#### Step 3: Find difference
- Difference = $ 5 - 4.5 = 0.5 $

✔ Answer: $0.50$ or $ \frac{1}{2} $

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2. Vanessa bought 2 1/2 pounds of jawbreakers for $20 and 1 2/3 pounds of taffy for $9.

Find: Difference in price per pound (in dollars per pound)

#### Step 1: Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions
- Jawbreakers: $ 2\frac{1}{2} = \frac{5}{2} $ pounds
- Taffy: $ 1\frac{2}{3} = \frac{5}{3} $ pounds

#### Step 2: Find unit price per pound
- Jawbreakers: $ \frac{20}{5/2} = 20 \times \frac{2}{5} = 8 $ dollars per pound
- Taffy: $ \frac{9}{5/3} = 9 \times \frac{3}{5} = \frac{27}{5} = 5.4 $ dollars per pound

#### Step 3: Find difference
- Difference = $ 8 - 5.4 = 2.6 $

Or as a fraction:
- $ 8 = \frac{40}{5}, \quad \frac{40}{5} - \frac{27}{5} = \frac{13}{5} = 2\frac{3}{5} $

✔ Answer: $2.60$ or $ \frac{13}{5} $ or $ 2\frac{3}{5} $

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3. Mark ran 2.7 miles in 15 minutes; Oliver ran 3.3 miles in 20 minutes.

Find: Difference in speed (in miles per minute)

#### Step 1: Find speeds
- Mark’s speed: $ \frac{2.7}{15} = 0.18 $ miles per minute
- Oliver’s speed: $ \frac{3.3}{20} = 0.165 $ miles per minute

#### Step 2: Find difference
- Difference = $ 0.18 - 0.165 = 0.015 $

✔ Answer: $0.015$

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4. Arnold rides 4 miles in 15 minutes; Jill rides 5 miles in 20 minutes.

Find: Difference in speed (in miles per hour)

We need miles per hour, so convert minutes to hours.

#### Step 1: Convert time to hours
- 15 minutes = $ \frac{15}{60} = 0.25 $ hours
- 20 minutes = $ \frac{20}{60} = \frac{1}{3} \approx 0.333... $ hours

#### Step 2: Find speeds in mph
- Arnold: $ \frac{4}{0.25} = 16 $ mph
- Jill: $ \frac{5}{1/3} = 5 \times 3 = 15 $ mph

#### Step 3: Find difference
- $ 16 - 15 = 1 $

✔ Answer: $1$ mph

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5. Marcel drives 24 miles in 30 minutes; Maya drives 20 miles in 20 minutes.

Find: Difference in speed (in miles per hour)

Again, convert to mph.

#### Step 1: Convert time to hours
- 30 minutes = 0.5 hours
- 20 minutes = $ \frac{1}{3} $ hours

#### Step 2: Find speeds
- Marcel: $ \frac{24}{0.5} = 48 $ mph
- Maya: $ \frac{20}{1/3} = 20 \times 3 = 60 $ mph

#### Step 3: Find difference
- $ 60 - 48 = 12 $

✔ Answer: $12$ mph

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✔ Final Answers:

1. $0.50$ or $ \frac{1}{2} $
2. $2.60$ or $ \frac{13}{5} $ or $ 2\frac{3}{5} $
3. $0.015$
4. $1$
5. $12$

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You can now fill these into the boxes on the worksheet!

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation in another format! 😊