Problem Solving

By: Samantha Hinds

 TEKS for 2 nd Grade
(B) use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing
given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a
solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-
solving process and the reasonableness of the solution;
(D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their
implications using multiple representations, including symbols,
diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate;
 Problem Being Solved
A rubber ball rebounds to half the height it drops. If the ball
is dropped from a rooftop 18 m above the ground, what is the
total distance traveled by the time it hits the ground the
third time?
a. 31.5 m
b. 40.5 m
c. 45 m
d. 63 m
 18 Meters

The ball is dropped from the top of the building which is 18 meters tall. So at
this point, the ball has traveled 18 meters total.
 18 Meters

9 Meters

The ball then rebounds to half the height it was dropped. Half the height of 18
meters is 9 meters, so we would then add 9 meters to our original 18 meters,
leaving us with a total of 27 meters traveled so far.
 18 Meters

9 Meters

The ball rebounds 9 meters and then must come back down that same distance.
So, in total distance traveled so far, we have 18m+9m+9m=36 meters total.
 18 Meters

9 Meters

4.5 Meters

After traveling back down 9 meters, the ball then bounces to half the distance
again, traveling back up 4.5 meters. The total distance traveled at this point is
18m+9m+9m+4.5m=40.5 meters.
 18 Meters

9 Meters
4.5 Meters

After the ball travels up 4.5 meters, it must then come back down 4.5 meters.
The total distance now traveled is 18m+9m+9m+4.5m+4.5m=45 meters.
A rubber ball rebounds to half the height it drops. If the ball
is dropped from a rooftop 18 m above the ground, what is the
total distance traveled by the time it hits the ground the
third time?

After re-reading the question, we see that we want to find the total
distance traveled once the ball has hit the ground three times. So,
looking at the previous slide, we see that the ball hit the ground at
18 meters, 9 meters and at 4.5 meters. Since the ball has hit the
ground three times, we add up the total distance traveled
18m+9m+9m+4.5m+4.5m leaving us with an answer of C: 45
meters traveled.