1. Module 8

1.31. Page 3

Mathematics 10-3 Module 8 Lesson 6

Module 8: Daily Living

 

Explore

 

piecework: payment for work based on a given amount for each item

For this activity you will need access to the Internet. You will work through Example 2, and then you will explore occupations paid through piecework.

 

If you sew or tailor clothes, you might be paid by a clothing manufacturer for each article of clothing you sew.

 

This is a photo of a clothing factory.

© poco_bw/7692654/Fotolia

This is a photo of a tree planter. She is holding a shovel and a bag of seedlings.

Courtesy of www.Replant.ca. Reproduced with permission.


Some occupations that involve piecework include newspaper carriers, flyer-delivery workers, some telemarketers, and tree planters in Canada’s forests.

 

Example 2

 

In the forests of Western Canada, forestry firms and governments replant areas that have been clear-cut or burned over. Tree planters are paid per seedling they plant, and their earnings can vary between $0.08 and $0.25 per tree.

 

Planting is extremely hard work, and every day worked can be compared to running a marathon. Other hazards include insects, bad weather, and the occasional bear. Tree planters can plant an average of 1500 trees per day.

  1. If Ethyl plants 1500 trees each day, what would she earn at $0.08/seedling? And at $0.25/seedling?
  2. Jasper works for a forestry company and is paid $0.15/seedling. To earn at least $250.00/d, how many seedlings would he have to plant?

Solution

  1. Ethyl plants 1500 seedlings/d.

    At $0.08/seedling, Ethyl would earn 1500 × $0.08 = $120.00/d.
    At $0.25/seedling, Ethyl would earn 1500 × $0.25 = $375.00/d.

  2. Jasper is paid $0.15 per seedling.

    To earn at least $250.00, Jasper must plant $250.00 ÷ $0.25 = 1666.6666 . . . , or 1667 trees.
Try This

 

It is time for you to do some research on the Internet or by contacting local businesses or employees! Use your investigative skills to answer these questions. Work with a partner, if possible.

 

TT 1. Make a list of as many occupations you can think of that are paid by piecework. A few examples have been provided.

 

Occupation Product (Unit) by
Which Worker Is Paid 		Rate per Product (Unit)
tree planters seedling planted $0.08 to $0.25
newspaper carrier paper delivered What is the rate in your community?
     
     
     

 

TT 2. Choose at least two occupations paid by piecework, other than tree planting. Describe the working conditions and expected monthly earnings for each occupation.

 

TT 3. What are some advantages of being paid by piecework? What are some disadvantages?

 

Share

 

Share your answers to TT 1 to TT3. Compare your list of occupations with other students, and add to your list if possible. Which of the student responses to TT 2 did you find interesting or unexpected?

 

TT 4. Summarize your discussion by answering the following question in a short paragraph: Would you want to be paid through piecework? Explain your answer.

 

Save a copy of your response in your course folder.