1. Math in the News
Issue 82
Halloween Stats
In this issue we look at statistics related to the Halloween season.

2. How is the state of the economy affecting people’s
celebration of Halloween?

3. Source: National Retail Federation
Notice that the expected spending on Halloween shows a big drop
from last year, and is more in line with two years ago.

4. However, the news isn’t all gloomy. Let’s take a look at
longer-term trends.

5. Source: National Retail Federation
While spending is down from last year, the trend since 2005 is
that people spend an increasing amount on Halloween.

6. The Great
Recession
Source: National Retail Federation
The dip in the overall trend happened during the Great Recession
of 2008. But since then Halloween has grown in popularity.

7. Why has Halloween grown in popularity?

8. Reasons Halloween
has grown in
popularity
• It is a less expensive
holiday than
Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
• It represents a
thriftier time, when
people are looking to
spend less money,
while still enjoying a
holiday.

9. Source: National Retail Federation
Of the amount expected to be spent in 2013, here is the
breakdown by category of expenditure.

10. Source: National Retail Federation
Here is the same data set, displayed as a circle graph.

11. •
Calculate your
family’s
expenditures on
costumes, candy,
cards, and
decorations.
•
Express your
data as a circle
graph.
Compare it to the
circle graph on
the previous
slide.