Any Math/Geometry Experts in here?

• sonofsam

  

  My girlfriend's daughter was given a geometry problem where she must "build a birdhouse between 225-235 inches squared" and is given 7 squares and two triangles with no numeric value. She must figure out the blueprint measurements, build the bird house out of construction paper and then decorate the birdhouse.
  
  I am not stupid at math, but there has to be a formula involved to determine the measurements of the squares and triangles. The daughter "claims" she was not given a formula, she also denies learning anything in the past few week that would allow her to solve such a problem. Then again, she HATES any type of math and unless it was adding something on your iPhone, she wouldn't pay attention. This project is due Monday May 2nd and I would like to help her if I could, but it seems to me she missed part of the instructions.
  
  Any help would be greatly useful... Please only reply if you have a serious post.
• ts1227

  

  Well, a birdhouse is a 3 dimensional figure... do they want a volume of 225-235 cubic inches, or a surface area of 225-235 square inches?
• sonofsam

  

  ts1227;754852 wrote:Well, a birdhouse is a 3 dimensional figure... do they want a volume of 225-235 cubic inches, or a surface area of 225-235 square inches?

  
  All she has written on the paper is "build a birdhouse between 225-235 inches squared. I would assume its the surface area but can't be absolutely sure...
• ts1227

  

  Well then I guess just measure the pieces.
  
  Squares = (length)(width)
  Triangles = 1/2(base)(height)
  
  and use what is needed to meet the problem and come out shaped like a birdhouse.
• sonofsam

  

  ts1227;754861 wrote:Well then I guess just measure the pieces.
  
  Squares = (length)(width)
  Triangles = 1/2(base)(height)
  
  and use what is needed to meet the problem and come out shaped like a birdhouse.

  
  I will give it a shot... Thanks. If you come up with anything else, let me know please.
• Bigred1995

  

  Do you want the answer or do you want a way for her to figure out the answer? Honest question btw!
• THE4RINGZ

  

  Perimeter in inches by wall height equals total wall area.
  
  Total gable area width by height.
  
  Total roof area: run (length of diagonal on one side) by length of roof multiplied by two.
• Bigred1995

  

  The key to this project is to both be creative and to use math. So in a way it's going to be both "trial & error" and imagination!
  The key to this problem is that you're given 7 squares! You can build a bird house with a combination of squares & rectangles, but they specifically tell you 7 squares. So the first thing you have to figure out is the size of squares you want to use.
  So lets say we want your squares to be 5x5, one square would be 25 inches^2, for the 7 squares that would account for 175 inches^2 and leaves you with 60 inches^2 remaining. Since you're already starting with the base of the house of 5 inches, your base of the triangle should be 5 inches. You should then have her figure out the height of each triagle if you use 1/2(base)*height=30, so 1/2(5)*x=30. x=12 (30 being the amount of inches^2 divided by 2)
  
  That's just one example of many of what can be done. I suggest you get her to figure things out herself, it's the only way she'll learn!
• Belly35

  

  What kind of bird?
  Different birds require different type and style of bird house and the size and shape is also important for nesting.
  
  Just to build/design a birdhouse that would not attract bird is worthless ....
  
  ……. Problem Solved... no math required common sense ….
• Bigred1995

  

  Belly35;754934 wrote:What kind of bird?
  Different birds require different type and style of bird house and the size and shape is also important for nesting.
  
  Just to build/design a birdhouse that would not attract bird is worthless ....
  
  ……. Problem Solved... no math required common sense ….

  
  Belly, I have honestly grown to love your post! Thank you for posting everyday!
• Belly35

  

  Bigred1995;754937 wrote:Belly, I have honestly grown to love your post! Thank you for posting everyday!

  
  I'll be here Monday thur Sunday bring a friend
• Scrawney

  All squares at 5.25 x 5.25 plus the triangles at 6 x 6 (bxhx.5) comes out to ~229 square inches. I don't know if that will actually fit together, but the numbers work.
• THE4RINGZ

  

  Scrawney;755041 wrote:All squares at 5.25 x 5.25 plus the triangles at 6 x 6 (bxhx.5) comes out to ~229 square inches. I don't know if that will actually fit together, but the numbers work.

  
  The two panels used for the roof will need to be longer than the other panels. Due to the slope or pitch of the roof, the rafter length will be longer as proven by the Pythagorean Theron (A squared + B squared = C squared). But you have extra area to meet the requirements of the project.
• Cleveland Buck

  

  If the area you are referring to is the area inside the birdhouse (like square footage of a house), then 7 squares of 15" X 15" and 2 45-45-90 right triangles with hypotenuse of 15" (10.606" legs) would build you a basic birdhouse with an area inside of 225 sq in. Four 15" X 15" walls, a 15" X 15" floor, 2 sides of the roof would be 15" X 15" squares joined at a right angle and the 2 triangles would fit in there to finish the roof.
  
  If you are referring to surface area, the squares could be 5.5" X 5.5" and the 2 45-45-90 right triangles with a hypotenuse of 5.5" (3.889" legs) would get you a surface area of approx. 226.874 sq in.
• ts1227

  

  Cleveland Buck;755051 wrote:If the area you are referring to is the area inside the birdhouse (like square footage of a house), then 7 squares of 15" X 15" and 2 45-45-90 right triangles with hypotenuse of 15" (10.606" legs) would build you a basic birdhouse with an area inside of 225 sq in. Four 15" X 15" walls, a 15" X 15" floor, 2 sides of the roof would be 15" X 15" squares joined at a right angle and the 2 triangles would fit in there to finish the roof.

  To simplify this, if we're talking like the area of a house, we're talking about the area of the floor space only. Thus, a 15x15" square floor panel would give you the 225 square inches, and then the rest as described/whatever makes it look like a birdhouse
• sonofsam

  

  Bigred1995;754914 wrote:The key to this project is to both be creative and to use math. So in a way it's going to be both "trial & error" and imagination!
  The key to this problem is that you're given 7 squares! You can build a bird house with a combination of squares & rectangles, but they specifically tell you 7 squares. So the first thing you have to figure out is the size of squares you want to use.
  So lets say we want your squares to be 5x5, one square would be 25 inches^2, for the 7 squares that would account for 175 inches^2 and leaves you with 60 inches^2 remaining. Since you're already starting with the base of the house of 5 inches, your base of the triangle should be 5 inches. You should then have her figure out the height of each triagle if you use 1/2(base)*height=30, so 1/2(5)*x=30. x=12 (30 being the amount of inches^2 divided by 2)
  
  That's just one example of many of what can be done. I suggest you get her to figure things out herself, it's the only way she'll learn!

  
  actually I figured it out. You can convert the two triangles into an 8th square which makes things much easier. the birhouse is built. Thanks all.
• redstreak one

  

  Easier solution would have been to storm into the principals office and tell him or her that your child obviously has a.d.d. and that they need to write an iep right away so that you and your child dont have to worry about passing ever again! lol
• I Wear Pants

  Belly35;755020 wrote:I'll be here Monday thur Sunday bring a friend

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