Q1.
There is a marbles competition in your neighbourhood with the team in the next street. You want to buy new marbles for the competition. You have ₹150 saved up. You go to a shop to buy the marbles. What are the qualities you would look for in the marbles so that you can win the competition?
Answer
Two different judgements have to be made at the same time — which marbles are good, and how many ₹150 will buy.
Qualities to look for
| Quality | Why it helps you win | How to check it in the shop |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | A marble that chips or cracks on the first strike is useless for a whole competition | Look for cracks and air bubbles inside the glass; tap two together and listen for a clear ring |
| Size | Must suit the game — a heavier striker hits harder, small marbles are easier to aim and to pocket | Hold one between finger and thumb; it must sit comfortably for a flick |
| Roundness and smooth surface | A truly round marble rolls straight; a flat spot makes it swerve and lose accuracy | Roll it on the shop counter and watch the line it takes |
| Weight | Heavier marbles knock others further out of the ring | Compare two in the palm of your hand |
| Uniformity | If all your marbles behave the same way, your practice actually improves your aim | Check that the ones in the packet are of the same size |
| Attractive colours | Easy to spot yours in the dust — and, honestly, half the pleasure of the game | Look at the packet |
| Price | The budget is fixed at ₹150 | Compare price per marble, not price per packet |
Spending the ₹150 well
Packet A: 10 marbles for ₹50 → ₹50 ÷ 10 = ₹5 each → ₹150 buys 30 marbles
Packet B: 20 marbles for ₹75 → ₹75 ÷ 20 = ₹3.75 each → ₹150 buys 40 marbles
But if half of Packet B chips in the first round, only 20 are still usable —
fewer than the 30 good ones from Packet A.
The cheaper marble is not the better buy unless it also lasts.
Packet B: 20 marbles for ₹75 → ₹75 ÷ 20 = ₹3.75 each → ₹150 buys 40 marbles
But if half of Packet B chips in the first round, only 20 are still usable —
fewer than the 30 good ones from Packet A.
The cheaper marble is not the better buy unless it also lasts.
Why it happens: this is exactly what the chapter is teaching. “Every consumer would need to assess the quality of products that they are buying” — and quality is judged against the purpose. For a display shelf you would buy the prettiest marbles; for a competition you buy the strongest and roundest. Same shop, same ₹150, different choice.