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Any Math/Geometry Experts in here?

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sonofsam's avatar

sonofsam

Wee' Gonna Win..

2,052 posts
Apr 29, 2011 8:45 PM
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.
Apr 29, 2011 8:45pm
ts1227's avatar

ts1227

Senior Member

12,319 posts
Apr 29, 2011 8:49 PM
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?
Apr 29, 2011 8:49pm
sonofsam's avatar

sonofsam

Wee' Gonna Win..

2,052 posts
Apr 29, 2011 8:52 PM
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...
Apr 29, 2011 8:52pm
ts1227's avatar

ts1227

Senior Member

12,319 posts
Apr 29, 2011 8:54 PM
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.
Apr 29, 2011 8:54pm
sonofsam's avatar

sonofsam

Wee' Gonna Win..

2,052 posts
Apr 29, 2011 9:01 PM
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.
Apr 29, 2011 9:01pm
Bigred1995's avatar

Bigred1995

Ohio Chatter - CFO

1,042 posts
Apr 29, 2011 9:03 PM
Do you want the answer or do you want a way for her to figure out the answer? Honest question btw!
Apr 29, 2011 9:03pm
THE4RINGZ's avatar

THE4RINGZ

R.I.P Thread Bomber

16,816 posts
Apr 29, 2011 9:03 PM
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.
Apr 29, 2011 9:03pm
Bigred1995's avatar

Bigred1995

Ohio Chatter - CFO

1,042 posts
Apr 29, 2011 9:36 PM
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!
Apr 29, 2011 9:36pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Apr 29, 2011 9:54 PM
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 ….
Apr 29, 2011 9:54pm
Bigred1995's avatar

Bigred1995

Ohio Chatter - CFO

1,042 posts
Apr 29, 2011 10:00 PM
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!
Apr 29, 2011 10:00pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Apr 29, 2011 11:06 PM
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
Apr 29, 2011 11:06pm
S

Scrawney

Member

93 posts
Apr 29, 2011 11:51 PM
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.
Apr 29, 2011 11:51pm
THE4RINGZ's avatar

THE4RINGZ

R.I.P Thread Bomber

16,816 posts
Apr 30, 2011 12:11 AM
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.
Apr 30, 2011 12:11am
Cleveland Buck's avatar

Cleveland Buck

Troll Hunter

5,126 posts
Apr 30, 2011 12:37 AM
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.
Apr 30, 2011 12:37am
ts1227's avatar

ts1227

Senior Member

12,319 posts
Apr 30, 2011 12:41 AM
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
Apr 30, 2011 12:41am
sonofsam's avatar

sonofsam

Wee' Gonna Win..

2,052 posts
May 1, 2011 2:26 AM
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.
May 1, 2011 2:26am
redstreak one's avatar

redstreak one

Senior Member

1,152 posts
May 1, 2011 5:21 PM
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
May 1, 2011 5:21pm
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
May 1, 2011 6:01 PM
Belly35;755020 wrote:I'll be here Monday thur Sunday bring a friend
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May 1, 2011 6:01pm