Café Milagro sells coffee online. A half-kilogram bag of coffee costs \(\$ 8.95,\) excluding shipping. If you order six bags, the shipping costs \(\$ 6.90 .\) What's the cost per bag when you include shipping?

At the heart of many mathematical problems, including those involving money, is basic arithmetic. It's essential for understanding how to manage and allocate funds effectively, whether it's in a business setting like Café Milagro or for personal finances.

Basic arithmetic consists of the fundamental processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In the case of Café Milagro, multiplication is used to calculate the total cost for multiple items, and addition is used to include additional fees, like shipping. Finally, division is essential to determine the average cost per item.

Steps to Perform Basic Arithmetic in Cost Calculations:

• Multiply the cost of one item by the number of items to get the total cost.
• Add any extra fees to the total cost to get the overall sum.
• Divide the overall sum by the number of items to find the cost per item, including the added fees.

It's a straightforward process that becomes second nature with practice, but it's crucial for solving real-world problems.

A word problem in mathematics is an exercise where the information needed to solve a problem is presented in text format. It requires identifying relevant data and applying arithmetic operations to find a solution. Word problems help develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills because they often mirror real-life situations.

The Café Milagro exercise is a typical word problem where you are given quantities and costs and asked to compute the total expense after accounting for additional charges.

Strategies to Approach Word Problems:

• Read the entire problem to understand the context and what is being asked.
• Identify and highlight the important numbers and facts needed for the calculation.
• Write down the arithmetic operations required in the order they need to be performed.
• Solve the problem step-by-step, checking for accuracy at each step.

By taking a systematic approach to word problems, students can enhance their ability to think logically and work through complex real-life scenarios.

When we use mathematical application, we take the theories and principles of math and apply them to solve practical problems. For example, businesses must often calculate the cost of goods, including shipping, to determine pricing. This mathematical application is not only necessary for operations but also important for decision making.

In our case, understanding the cost per bag after shipping helps Café Milagro set the right price point for its coffee. This ensures that they cover costs and do not operate at a loss.

Real-World Implications of Mathematical Application:

• Enables businesses to plan budgets and forecast revenues.
• Helps consumers understand the value they get for their money.
• Assists in financial planning to meet business or personal objectives.

Mastery of mathematical applications is a valuable skill that supports critical thinking and strategic planning in numerous fields.