math in the news: issue 90

Math in the NewsIssue 90

America’s Candy Crush

Valentine’s Day

How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Will you purchase cards, candies, flowers, and gifts? In this issue we’ll look at economic data from the National Retail Association (http://www.nrf.com).

Valentine’s Day

The National Retail Federation predicts Americans will spend $17.3 billion this year for Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day

Here is how this holiday has fared over the past few years. (Note: The Data for 2014 is an estimate.)

Total Spent on Valentine's Day ($Billions)

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

16.9 17 14.7 14.1 15.7 17.6 18.6 17.3

Valentine’s Day

Here is a graph of the data, which shows a consistent amount near $17 billion over the past few years.

Valentine’s Day

Let’s look at four key data points in more detail:• Candy• Flowers• Jewelry• Cards

Valentine’s Day

Here is a multiple line graph showing all four data sets. Let’s look at the individual graphs.

Valentine’s Day

Here is the line graph for Candy.

Valentine’s Day

Here is the line graph for Flowers.

Valentine’s Day

Here is the line graph for Jewelry.

Valentine’s Day

Here is the line graph for Cards.

Valentine’s Day

Candy, Jewelry, and Cards all show a drop in spending. But Flowers show an increase.

Valentine’s Day

• Why would Flower purchases show a steady increase, while the others showed a decrease?

• Why would Candy sales show a decline? Why would people be buying less candy?

• Why would Jewelry sales show a decline? What would this say about the state of the economy?

Valentine’s Day

• Now that you have seen the data for spending on Valentine’s Day, is your anticipated spending consistent with these results?

• What factors affect how much you spend and what you spend it on?

• Conduct a survey in your class to see how much your classmates plan to spend.