Create a Business Plan Using Percentages and Profit Margins

Apply percentage calculations in real-world entrepreneurial scenarios.

Teaching Context:
Best for Year 8 to Year 10 Maths when learning percentages, profit, and budgeting.

Basic AI Prompt:
Create a business plan for a lemonade stand.

Enhanced AI Prompt:
You are learning about calculating profit margins. Ask AI to help create a business plan for a small business (e.g. lemonade stand, pop-up shop). Include startup costs, pricing, expected sales and profit margins. Ask AI to calculate your break-even point. Finally, ask AI to suggest two strategies for increasing your profit (e.g. upselling, cost-cutting) and explain how they affect your calculations.

Spice it Up (Optional Extension):
Ask AI to write an elevator pitch for your business.

Lesson Implementation:
Start by reviewing profit margin and break-even formulas. Discuss simple business models like school fundraisers. Students work in groups to use AI to create a small business plan, including projected costs and earnings. They calculate the break-even point and expected profit for one week of trading.

Groups present their business plan in a “Shark Tank” pitch, where classmates ask financial questions and challenge their assumptions.

Finish with a reflection: “What challenges might a real business face that could change these numbers?”
This lesson makes financial maths engaging and practical.

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