Course 2 Project: Maximizing and Minimizing the Area of Rectangles

Problem #1:
You will be given 3 paper rectangles and tiles.
1. Use your ruler to find the perimeter of each rectangle.
2. What do these rectangles have in common?
3. Which rectangle requires the most tiles to completely cover it?
4. Which rectangle requires the fewest tiles to completely cover it?

Problem #2:
You have a plot of land and a dog. Your dog has run away a couple of times and often runs on your neighbors'
property. You decide to fence in a rectangular section of your land so that your dog doesn't run away but has room
to play. You have 72 feet of fencing. You want each side of the rectangular "pen" to be a whole number in length.
Your goal is to allow your dog the maximum amount of space to run around and play. Design the rectangle that
achieves this goal.

You will use a length of yarn 72 cm. long.

1. You are to experiment with at least 5 different rectangles.
2. Make models with your yarn (tape onto a piece of construction paper).
3. Record the dimensions (bottom edge, side edge, perimeter, and area) for each of the fence models.

Problem #3:
You run a business that puts on banquets. For one small banquet, you need to seat 12 people. You construct your
banquet tables from small square tables (which individually seat 1 person on each side). Each small table costs
your company $1 per day (for rental or moving). Your banquet tables are always rectangular.

For this problem, you will need to include a chart in which the dimensions (bottom edge, side edge, perimeter, and
area) are recorded for all possible perimeters of 12 and 24 rectangles. Fixed perimeter coordinate graphs will be
completed recording the (bottom edge, area) ordered pairs. (Make separate graphs for P=12 and P=24).
1. What are the dimensions of the table that will seat these 12 people in the cheapest way possible?
2. What are the dimensions of the table that will seat the 12 people in the most expensive way possible?
3. Repeat the same problem for a banquet in which 24 people need to be seated.

Problem #4: Create your own scenario in which you would need to maximize/minimize area.
*Include a visual, as well as possible solutions.

Reflection Essay: Write a paragraph summarizing what you did in each

problem. Identify some of your struggles while coming up with a
solution, as well as some questions that you still have. What did you
learn about the application of quadratics in the real world?