Unit Rates and Fairness in Housing Vocabulary Review

How to Use

• Read each definition carefully and review the examples before your quiz.
• Notice how math examples, real-life examples, and fairness examples work together.
• Remember: Unit rates help us compare fairly when things (like homes) aren’t the same size.
• Keep this sheet in your Equity in Numbers Student Journal for review and reflection.

Unit Rate

• Definition: A comparison that shows how much of one quantity there is for one unit of another.
• Math Examples:
  • $180,000 ÷ 1,200 = $150 per sq. ft.
  • $200,000 ÷ 1,600 = $125 per sq. ft.
  • $90,000 ÷ 900 = $100 per sq. ft.
• Real-Life Example: Finding how much each square foot of a house costs.
• Fairness Example: Unit rates show which homes are truly affordable, no matter their size.

Affordable

• Definition: Something that costs a fair amount based on a person’s income.
• Math Examples:
  • $100 per sq. ft. → affordable
  • $150 per sq. ft. → less affordable
  • Comparing $90,000 (900 sq. ft.) vs $150,000 (1,000 sq. ft.) = $100 vs $150 per sq. ft.
• Real-Life Example: Families look for affordable homes that fit their budgets.
• Fairness Example: When affordable homes are only in some neighborhoods, it shows inequality.

Divide

• Definition: To split a number into equal parts or find how many times one number fits into another.
• Math Examples:
  • 180,000 ÷ 1,200 = 150
  • 200,000 ÷ 1,600 = 125
  • 150,000 ÷ 1,000 = 150
• Real-Life Example: Dividing cost by square footage gives the unit rate.
• Fairness Example: Division helps compare prices fairly, even when homes are different sizes.

Square Foot

• Definition: A unit that measures area — the space inside a home or lot.
• Math Examples:
  • 1,200 sq. ft. × $150 per sq. ft. = $180,000
  • 1,600 sq. ft. × $125 per sq. ft. = $200,000
  • 900 sq. ft. × $100 per sq. ft. = $90,000
• Real-Life Example: A home’s size is often measured in square feet.
• Fairness Example: Comparing cost per square foot helps us see whether homes of similar size are priced equally.

Compare

• Definition: To see which numbers, amounts, or values are larger, smaller, or equal.
• Math Examples:
  • $100 < $125 < $150 per sq. ft.
  • 100 per sq. ft. = most affordable.
• Real-Life Example: Comparing unit rates helps families find the best-priced home for their budget.
• Fairness Example: Comparing costs between neighborhoods helps reveal housing inequity.

Rate

• Definition: A ratio that compares two quantities with different units.
• Math Examples:
  • $180,000 ÷ 1,200 sq. ft. → 150 $/sq. ft.
  • $90,000 ÷ 900 sq. ft. → 100 $/sq. ft.
  • $200,000 ÷ 1,600 sq. ft. → 125 $/sq. ft.
• Real-Life Example: Renters and buyers use rates to understand what they’re paying per unit of space.
• Fairness Example: Rates reveal when similar homes cost more in certain neighborhoods without fair reason.

Neighborhood

• Definition: A group of homes in the same area or community.
• Math Examples:
  • Neighborhood A → $150 per sq. ft.
  • Neighborhood C → $100 per sq. ft.
  • Difference = $50 per sq. ft.
• Real-Life Example: Neighborhoods can have different prices for similar homes.
• Fairness Example: Fair housing means all neighborhoods should offer safe, affordable homes for families.

Cost Per Square Foot

• Definition: The unit rate that shows how much each square foot of a home costs.
• Math Examples:
  • 180,000 ÷ 1,200 = 150
  • 200,000 ÷ 1,600 = 125
  • 90,000 ÷ 900 = 100
• Real-Life Example: Builders and buyers use this to compare prices of different homes.
• Fairness Example: Reveals which areas are overpriced and where families may struggle to buy.

Fairness

• Definition: Treating everyone equally by giving each person or family a fair chance at opportunity.
• Math Examples:
  • 150 vs 100 per sq. ft. → unfair pricing difference.
  • 100 per sq. ft. = more equitable.
• Real-Life Example: Some families can’t afford homes in certain areas due to unfair price differences.
• Fairness Example: Math helps leaders and citizens find ways to make housing prices fairer across neighborhoods.

Housing Equity

• Definition: When everyone has access to safe, affordable housing regardless of race, income, or location.
• Math Examples:
  • Equalizing unit rates between neighborhoods = greater equity.
  • Reducing cost gap from $150 to $100 per sq. ft. improves fairness.
• Real-Life Example: Policies that cap or balance costs per square foot can make housing more affordable.
• Fairness Example: Housing equity ensures all families can live where they feel safe and included.

Summary of Math + Fairness Connections

Concept	Math Focus	Fairness Connection
Unit Rate	Finds cost per square foot	Reveals affordability differences
Compare	Evaluates housing prices	Exposes inequities between areas
Square Foot	Measures home size	Ensures equal value for space
Neighborhood	Organizes housing data	Promotes fair access to safe housing
Fairness	Uses math to reveal imbalance	Supports housing justice for all