Forecast Failures

Worksheet Description

This worksheet gives students a variety of real-world problems where predictions or estimates differ from the actual results, requiring them to calculate the percentage of error. The scenarios include estimating rainfall, predicting how many water bottles a grocery store would sell, or determining how many students would attend an after-school program. In each case, students use the percentage error formula to assess how far off the estimate was from the actual outcome. These examples help students grasp the concept of error in everyday situations and how small variations can lead to noticeable differences.

This worksheet teaches students how to apply the percentage error formula and develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between estimates and actual results. By working through these scenarios, students improve their subtraction, division, and multiplication skills, while also practicing rounding to two decimal places. The problems emphasize the importance of accurate predictions, whether in weather forecasting, retail, education, or even park attendance. Ultimately, this worksheet helps students learn to calculate and interpret percentage errors, encouraging them to reflect on how differences between expected and real outcomes can affect decision-making.