David Is Trying to Calculate the Total Cost of the Groceries

question 38

Multiple Choice

David is trying to calculate the total cost of the groceries in his grocery cart. He has four apples for 35¢ each, five potatoes for 15¢ each, and three cake mixes for $2.25 each. He begins by thinking to himself, "Let's see, four times 35¢ is what? Two times 35¢ is 70¢, and then two times 70¢ is $1.40. And then what do I do next? Oh, yes, I need to know out what 5 times 15 equals. I can't remember, but let's see if I can figure it out...." From an information processing perspective, David may have difficulty solving the problem because:

• A) He is using an inappropriate heuristic.
• B) His working memory capacity may be insufficient to hold and process all the information.
• C) He is encoding the problem incorrectly.
• D) He is demonstrating functional fixedness with regard to his knowledge of multiplication facts.

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Definitions:

Stono Rebellion

The Stono Rebellion was a slave uprising that occurred in South Carolina in 1739, marking one of the earliest and most significant slave revolts in the American colonies.

African Americans

People in the United States with ancestry from the black racial groups of Africa, including both enslaved and free individuals and their descendants.

Slave Uprising

A rebellion or revolt by slaves against their masters and the institution of slavery, seeking freedom and the end of their bondage.

Disease-Prevention

Efforts and measures taken to avoid the occurrence and spread of diseases among populations.