Skip main navigation

Looking at problems with a historical context

Looking at problems with a historical context

In this video you will find the solution to the question about the three people of different weights.

With historical documents you will find that you may have to work in currencies different to those which you are used to.

For this next question you need to know about an old English currency where 12 pence (written 12d) was equal to one shilling (1s) and that 20s was equal to one pound (£1).

In 1930 a pint of beer cost fourpence (4d) and a loaf of bread cost threepence (3d). A weekly bus ticket cost two shillings and sixpence (written as 2/6) and an office worker’s weekly wage could be £1 18s 6d (written as £1 18/6).

Here is a question for you

Bert, an office worker, takes the bus to work six days of the week and stops at the pub for a pint of beer on his way home every evening. His weekly rent is 30 shillings. How many loaves of bread could Bert buy with what he has left over?

The answer is in the video in the next step.

This article is from the free online

Preparing for University

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now