Problem of the Week 1

POW Writeup due 9/15

Delilah fills each of the rectangular regions of her rectangular flower bed with a different
type of flower. The lengths, in feet, of the rectangular regions in her flower bed are as
shown in the figure. She plants one flower per square foot in each region. Daisies cost $1,
begonias $1.50 each, cannas $2 each, roses $2.50 each, and cattleya orchids $3 each. What
is the least possible cost, in dollars, for her garden?
Prediction= $95

1. Find a way to have each single type of flower in a separate box using the least amount of
money in US dollars. Daisies are $1, begonias are $1.50, cannas are $2, roses are $2.50 and
cattleya orchids are $3. Find the area of each box and figure out which flower would be the
cheapest to use in it.
2. 7x3= 21
5x4= 20
5x3=15
6x1= 6
2x2= 4 (3 - 1 and 5 - 3 from sides of box.)
Total= 66 sq feet (not needed)
21 x $1= $21
20 x $1.50= $30
15 x $2= $30
6 x $2.50= $15
4 x $3= $12
Total= $108
3

Answer: The least amount of money for each section of the flower boxes with a different
type of flower in each box is $108.
2
4. The answer for this problem was easy to see because the flower box had to do with area
and how much it would cost per square foot for a different flower. In my opinion the POW
was reasonable in the fact to show us how some problems may be in the future. I know that
I am correct in my answer because I have done the problem over a few times and it is always
the same. My conclusion is that the the problem was easy yet fun as well as a refresher of
previous math.

Problem of the Week 2

POW Writeup due 9/18
In
quadrilateral
,

,
,

is a
right angle
,
diagonal
, and

is
perpendicular
to

. Find the
perimeter
of

ABCD=
a^2 + B^2 = c^2
18^2 + 21^2 = c^2
324 + 441 = c^2

18 + 21 + 14 + 31 = 84

C^2 = 764
= 27.7
or 28 rounded
14^2 + 27.7^2 = c^2
196 + 767.3 = c^2
c^2 = 963
= 31
1.
The problem is asking how to find the perimeter of the object and the challenge is to use the
pythagorean theorem to calculate each of the separate triangles to find the hypotenuse of
the triangles. The ultimate ending is to find the complete numbers for all sides and to add
them together to get the perimeter. 2

2. I started with a rough prediction of having a perimeter of 72 because from just

looking at the geometric object it looked close. I came to my answer by using
pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse of the first triangle (18^2 x 21^2 = c^2)
and to then use that number to find the second hypotenuse in the next triangle. Then
using the outside numbers to calculate the entire perimeter.
3
3. The solution is that AB= 18, BC= 21, CD=14, and DA= 31 therefore
18 + 21 + 14 + 31 = 84.
2
4. I feel that the solution was close to my prediction and that the problem was similar
to others that I have done in the past, but this problem needed the hypotenuse to
find the answer. The problem was definitely reasonable, to teach and reteach us the
Theorem and to let us get used to using the equation. My general conclusion that I
can draw from this problem is that it definitely uses and needs the Pythagorean
Theorem to find the sides of the object because the geometric shape is not to scale.
Im not sure if my answer is correct but Im confident in it because I have checked the
problem over a few times and came out with the same solution each time.
1