You are a race-team engineer at the neon speedway. Use rates, unit
rates, and percent to tune the fastest car and win the rally.
Learning Target
I can find and explain a unit rate by dividing two quantities (6.RP.A.2).
I can use equivalent ratios and unit rates to solve real-world problems (6.RP.A.3).
I can find a percent of a number and use percent to compare quantities (6.RP.A.3c).
Standards: 6.RP.A.2, 6.RP.A.3, 6.RP.A.3cEstimated Time: 45–55 minutesMaterials: This page, pencil/paper for work, calculator (optional)Product: Race Engineer Report (written + quiz)
Teacher Notes (not printed in student view)
Pacing
Introduction + Process reading: ~10 min | Game / research phase: ~15 min | Report writing: ~10 min | Self-Check + Quiz: ~10 min | Reflection: ~5 min. Adjust game phase to 20 min if this is students' first encounter with unit rates.
Grouping
Works well as individual or pairs. For pairs, have partners each write their own report and quiz, then compare answers before submitting.
Differentiation — Support
Provide a reference card with the three steps: (1) write the ratio, (2) divide by the second number, (3) label with "per 1."
Pre-fill the first row of the report template to model the format.
Allow students to use the graphic novel or vocabulary link before starting Step 1.
Differentiation — Challenge
Have students find two different unit rates from the same problem (e.g., miles per hour AND hours per mile) and explain what each means.
Ask: "If Shop A lowers its price by 10%, is it still the same deal as Shop B? Show your work."
Have students write their own best-buy or percent scenario and trade with a partner to solve.
ESOL / Language Supports
Key sentence frames: "The unit rate is ___ per 1 ___." | "The better deal is ___ because the price per 1 is lower."
Post the vocabulary: rate, unit rate, ratio, per, percent, equivalent with pictures.
Allow students to show work in their home language alongside English.
The ESOL tip box in the Process section highlights "per" and "percent" in plain language.
Assessment Notes
The Self-Check section gives instant formative feedback. The NTKit quiz at the bottom can be saved as PDF/DOC for gradebook upload. Use the rubric below to score the written Race Engineer Report.
1. Introduction
Welcome to Ratio Rally! Race cars need smart math,
not just speed. A good engineer asks:
How fast per minute? What is the best price per liter? What percent
of the fuel is left?
In this WebQuest you will think like a race engineer. You will use
rates (two amounts compared),
unit rates (the amount for just 1), and
percent (an amount out of 100) to make winning
choices.
2. Your Task
By the end you will build a short
Race Engineer Report that shows:
One unit rate you found (example: miles per 1 hour).
One best buy choice using price per 1 item.
One percent answer (example: 25% of 80 = 20).
Then you will complete the Self-Check questions and the
Check Your Understanding quiz, and save it with your
name as a PDF or DOC.
Deliverable: Written Race Engineer Report (3 answers with work shown) + saved quiz PDF/DOC with your name.
3. Process — Follow the Steps
Warm up. Read this: a rate compares two amounts,
like 120 miles in 2 hours. A
unit rate tells the amount for 1.
Divide: 120 ÷ 2 = 60 miles per 1 hour.
Play the game. Open
Unit 3 — Ratio Rally (link below). Tune your car by finding
unit rates and equivalent ratios.
Find a best buy. To compare prices, find the price
for 1 item. Lower price per 1 = better deal.
Example: $6 for 3 = $2 each.
Use percent. Percent means "out of 100". To find a
percent of a number, change the percent to a decimal, then multiply.
Example: 25% of 80 = 0.25 × 80 = 20.
Write your report. Write your three answers from
the Task section. Show your division or multiplication for each.
Self-Check your knowledge. Try the three practice
questions below — get instant feedback before the real quiz.
Take the quiz. Type your name in the top bar,
answer the 5 quiz questions, click Check My Answers, then
Save as PDF or DOC.
ESOL tip: "per" means "for each 1". "Unit rate" =
rate for just 1. "Percent" = out of 100.
Answer each question, then click Check to see if you are right. You get instant feedback and a hint. These do not count toward your final grade.
Divide total miles by total hours. Type a number only.
Find the price per 1 bottle for each. Choose the lower one.
Change 30% to a decimal (0.30), then multiply by 50. Type a number only.
6. Evaluation — How You Are Graded
Race Engineer Rubric — 4 Levels
Skill
4 — Champion
3 — On Track
2 — Pit Stop
1 — Restart
Unit Rate
Correct unit rate with division work shown and label (e.g., "60 mph").
Correct unit rate; label or work may be missing.
Attempted; minor arithmetic error in division.
Not attempted or unit rate concept missing.
Best Buy
Compares price-per-1 for both options, picks correct deal, explains why.
Picks the correct deal; one price-per-1 shown.
Attempted; minor error in one price-per-1.
Not attempted or comparison missing.
Percent of a Number
Correct answer with decimal conversion and multiplication shown.
Correct answer; one step may be missing.
Attempted; error in decimal conversion or multiplication.
Not attempted or percent concept missing.
Quiz Score
5 of 5 correct.
4 of 5 correct.
3 of 5 correct.
2 or fewer correct.
7. Check Your Understanding
Type your name in the bar at the top first. Answer all 5. Then click
Check My Answers.
Your score and results appear in the panel at the top. Use
Save as PDF or Save as DOC there to
turn in your work.
8. Reflection
Think about what you learned in this WebQuest. Write 2–3 sentences to answer:
What is the most useful math skill you practiced today, and why would an engineer (or shopper, or athlete) need it?
What was the hardest part? What would you do differently next time?
Deliverable reminder: Submit your Race Engineer Report (3 answers with work shown) AND save this quiz page as a PDF or DOC with your name before turning in.
9. Conclusion
Great driving, engineer! You used rates,
unit rates, and percent to make
smart racing choices. These same skills help in real life: comparing
prices at the store, reading speed, and understanding sales like "30%
off".
Next pit stop: keep practicing in the Ratio Rally game to beat your
best lap time.
Neft Teacher · Grade 6 Math · Unit 3 · 6.RP.A.2-3
🔒 Teacher Answer Key — click to expand (do not share with students)
Self-Check Answers
SC Q1:60 miles per hour. (240 ÷ 4 = 60)
SC Q2:$10 for 5 bottles ($2 each vs. $3 each).
SC Q3:15. (0.30 × 50 = 15)
Quiz Answers
Q1:50 miles per hour. (150 ÷ 3 = 50)
Q2:0.5 (or $0.50). ($4 ÷ 8 = $0.50)
Q3:12. (0.20 × 60 = 12)
Q4:They are the same. (Shop A: $6÷2=$3/liter; Shop B: $9÷3=$3/liter — equal.)
Q5:90%. (45÷50 = 0.9 × 100 = 90%)
Sample Race Engineer Report (strong response)
Unit Rate: "My car goes 150 miles in 3 hours. 150 ÷ 3 = 50. The unit rate is 50 miles per 1 hour."
Best Buy: "Shop A is $6 for 2 liters ($3 each). Shop B is $9 for 3 liters ($3 each). They cost the same per liter."
Percent: "20% of 60. I changed 20% to 0.20. Then 0.20 × 60 = 12. So 20% of 60 is 12."
Sample Reflection (strong response)
"The most useful skill was finding unit rates because shoppers and engineers use them every day to compare options. The hardest part was converting percent to a decimal before multiplying. Next time I would write the steps on paper first to keep track."