Check out this YouTube recording of a phone call between a customer and Verizon, a phone company in the US. It really shows the importance of knowing place value in decimals!!!
Here is an excerpt from the customer's blog:
I have a Verizon unlimited data plan in the U.S. and recently crossed the border to Canada. Prior to crossing the border I called customer service to find out what rates I'd be paying for voice and data. The data rate I was quoted was ".002 cents per kilobyte."
I received my bill and was charged $.002/KB - which is dollars - "point zero zero 2 dollars per kilobyte".
My bill for my data usage in Canada was therefore much greater than I had expected - using the quote I was provided before my usage.
I have tried to resolve this issue with customer service reps on the phone, but no one seems to see the difference between ".002 cents" and ".002 dollars".
Up for a challenge? Try these problems out!
1) Is the writer correct? Is .002 cents different from .002 dollars? Clearly justify why or why not.
2) Suppose the writer used 35,254 kilobytes. How much should his bill have been if charged in a rate per cent versus per dollar.
3) How do you think this confusion could be avoided? Design a poster or flyer that can help.
