MAT-144 · Mathematical Reasoning Topic 02 · Conversions & Budgeting
Topic 02 · Welcome

Welcome to Conversions & Budgeting.

This week is about three moves that show up in adult life everywhere: percent, conversions, and budgeting. By Sunday you'll compute tip and tax in your head, convert any unit to any other unit, and have a real budget you could plug your own numbers into.

The math is mostly arithmetic. What you're really learning is how to set things up — in your head, on paper, and in Excel — so the math works for you.

Start Lesson 01 Topic overview

By the end of this week, you'll be able to:

  • Solve application problems involving percent.
  • Convert units using dimensional analysis.
  • Convert between fractions, decimals, and percentages.
  • Use budgeting techniques to help develop financial literacy skills.

Four phases, in order. Don't skip ahead — each one sets up the next.

Phase 01 · Mini lessons
6 lessons
≈ 3 hours total
  • L01 · What is a percent, really?
  • L02 · Three masks, one number.
  • L03 · Percent in the wild.
  • L04 · Multiply by 1, in disguise.
  • L05 · Chain the move.
  • L06 · Tell your money what to do.
Phase 02 · Discussions
2 DQs
≈ 2 hours total
  • DQ 1 · Unit Conversions, Cell References
  • DQ 2 · Percent Change, Inflation & CPI
Phase 03 · Major Assignment
Major Assignment 1: Budgeting
100 pts · ≈ 3 hours
  • Component 1 · Income Analysis
  • Component 2 · Unit Conversions
  • Component 3 · Currency Conversion
Phase 04 · ALEKS Review
6 questions
≈ 2 hours · 35 pts
  • Q1 · Converting between percentages and decimals
  • Q2 · Final amount after a percent change
  • Q3 · Length conversions using dimensional analysis
  • Q4 · Weight conversions
  • Q5 · Converting between compound units
  • Q6 · Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures

Plan for the whole week. These are typical times, not maximums — go faster if it clicks, slower if you're getting stuck.

Mini lessons (6) ≈ 3 h
Discussions (2 DQs) ≈ 2 h
Major Assignment 1: Budgeting ≈ 3 h
ALEKS review (6 questions) ≈ 2 h
Total ≈ 10 h

Quick refresher links — open these only if a topic feels unfamiliar:

Topic 1 refresher
Lesson 04 · Slope as a rate of change →
MA1 Component 1 leans on slope and y-intercept. Skim if those terms feel rusty.
Topic 1 refresher
Lesson 05 · Linear modeling and prediction →
Same lesson teaches the BLS-style chart you'll build in MA1 Component 1.
Excel refresher
Topic 1 DQ 1 · Basic Excel formulas →
Cell references and the = sign pattern. The DQ template is a low-pressure way to re-warm Excel before MA1.

You won't get through every lesson on the first try. Here's where to look:

Cheat sheet
Topic 2 cheat sheet →
Key formulas, common mistakes, quick reference. Printable.
Glossary
Topic 2 glossary →
Every vocab term in one study sheet, lesson by lesson.
Interactive tools
Tools & resources →
3 interactive playgrounds for hands-on practice.
Walkthroughs
Each DQ + MA component has a Scribe walkthrough.
Watch once, then build it on your own.

Ready to start?

Start Lesson 01