Additional

Mathematics
Project
2015

TITLE: Water Usage Reduction

NAME: IC NUMBER: TEACHER IN CHARGE: -

Introduction:

In our modern era, water is greatly taken advantage of. People

waste a great amount of water daily and do not even realize it.
Some of those who do, dont even take action against it! However,
there are many ways to save water. Of the many are rainwater
collection and accumulation. Rainwater accumulation can help to
save pipe water because the rain, too, is a source of water!
Part I
1. Total area of school garden: 690m2
2. a) Total volume of water used per day
=1300students x 15litres + 690m2 x 2litres
=20880litres
=20.88m3
b) Water expenditure per month
=20.88 x RM1.2 x 22
+RM551.23
3. a) Students:
a=1300
r=103/100 = 1.03
T11 = 1300 x 1.0310
= 1747.1
= 1747 Students (Rounded off to the nearest student)
Water Usage:
a=15 r=1.05
T11 = 15 x 1.0510
= 24.43litres
Amount of water used in 2024
=1747 x 24.43litres
= 42679.21litres
b) Number of students
Assume the number of students increases by 3% yearly.
Year

201
4

201
5

201
6

201
7

201
8

201
9

202
0

202
1

202
2

2023 2024

Stude
nt
numb
er

130
0

133
9

137
9

142
1

146
3

150
7

155
2

159
9

164
7

1696 1747

Students daily water usage

Assuming water usage increases by 5% yearly.
Year

201

201

2016 2017

2018 2019 2020 2021

2022 2023 2024

Water
Usage
(litres
)

15

15.7
5

16.5
4

17.3
6

18.2
3

19.1
4

20.1
0

21.1
1

22.1
6

23.2
7

Students total daily water usage in the year 2024

= 1747 x 24.43 litres
=42679.21 litres

Values obtained from the methods in 3.a) and 3.b).

c) I 24/14 = (Q2024/Q2014) x 100
= (42679.21 x 1900)/(19500 x 190) x 100
= 218.87
The amount of water used by the students in the year 2024
based on year 2014 has increased by 218.87%
Part II
1. a)

24.4
3

b) Total Area of A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K

= 5290.48 m2
Assuming all the roofs of the school buildings are attached
with water tanks meaning to collect rainwater,
Volume= 2.6 x 5290.48
=13755.25m3
13755.25m3 can be collected annually.
2. The volume of water used for 5 days is 20.88m3 x 5 = 104.4m3

3. i) Differentiation
104.4= r2h
h = 104.4/ r2
Area = 2 rh + 2 r2
= 2 r(104.4/ r2) + 2 r2
= 208.8 r1 + 4 r
dA/dr= 208.8/r2 + 4 r
4 r3 = 208.8
r3 = 2.55
Area = 208.8/2.55 + 2 (2.55)2 = 122.74m2
Cost = 122.74 x 70 = RM 8591.80
Tabulation:
r/m

h/m

Surface Area/m2

0.05

13292.62

4176.02

0.55

109.86

381.55

1.05

30.14

205.77

1.55

13.83

149.78

2.05

7.91

128.29

2.55

5.11

122.73

Minimal cost = 122.73 x 70 =RM8591.10

Minimal cost is RM8591.10.
ii) Differentiation
104.4= l2h
h = 104.4/l2

Area=2l2 + 4lh
= 2l2 + 417.6l1

dA/dl = 4l 417.6/l2
4l = 417.6/l2
l3 = 104.4
l = 4.71 m
Area = 2(4.71)2 + 417.6/4.71
= 133.03 m2
Minimum cost= 133.03 x 7

= RM 9312.10
Tabulation:
l/cm

h/m

Surface Area/ m2

2.21

21.38

198.77

2.71

14.22

168.83

3.21

10.13

150.68

3.71

7.58

140.02

4.21

5.89

134.64

4.71

4.71

133.03

Minimal cost = 133.10 x 70

= RM 9317
Therefore, minimal cost is RM9317.
iii) Substitution
104.4=l3
l = 4.71 m

Area = 6l2
= 6(4.71)2
= 133.03 m2
Minimal cost = 133.03 x 70
= RM 9312.1

Tabulation:

l/cm

Surface Area/ m2

2.21

29.31

2.71

44.06

3.21

61.82

3.71

82.58

4.21

106.34

4.71

133.10

Minimal cost = 133.1 x 70

= RM 9317
Therefore the minimal cost is RM9317

4. Overall, the most suitable water tank shape would be the

cylindrical shape. As it goes, a cylinder has a larger volume
and less surface area compared to the cuboid shape. Thus,
material used to construct the tank would also be less, making
the tank less costly. A water tank with the shape of a cylinder
is also much more stable comparatively. This is because edges
create stress points. So having a water tank without stress
points would greatly improve stability. Besides, cylindrical
shaped tanks are much easier to maintain cleanliness
compared to a cuboid shape for the corners are hard to clean.
In conclusion, the best possible shape to use for a water tank
in my school would be the cylindrical shape.

Further Exploration
1. The cost of the cylinder is the cheapest at RM 8591. By
comparing the cost of construction and expenditure that can
be reduced from this rainwater harvesting, the project if
practical. It will supply for the schools water demand and will
aid in reducing the schools expenditure for water as well as
contribute to water saving.
2. The harvesting of rainwater is the accumulation of rainwater
so it can by used on site rather than letting it go to waste. This
rainwater is used to water the plants in the school garden. It
can also be used as washroom water supply. However, there
are many problems that come with this as well. One of the
greatest problem faced is the cleanliness of the water
accumulated. Since we are living in hot country, mosquitoes
and insects tend to breed everywhere. Accumulating this
rainwater may become a breeding place for mosquitoes. Apart
from that, water accumulated in such big tanks can be easily
dirtied through the growth of moss or algae. Besides, the cost
for the tanks used to accumulate the water also uses quite an
amount of money. Since these tanks have to be of a good
quality to withstand the heat from the sun, it is not cheap.
Moreover, the rainwater collected is very dependent on
rainfall. If the season were to be a dry season, water collection
will be minimal! Therefore, although collecting rainwater has
its perks, it also has its cons.
3. As it is, it is totally convenient for government buildings to
make use of rainwater. Although at the start, the tanks are
costly, in the long run, it can save a huge amount of water.
This will reduce water cost and contribute to the environment
simultaneously.

Conclusion
The collection of rainwater can greatly contribute to mankind. As it
is, people have been simply using water and thoughtlessly wasting
it. Clean water will soon become a rarity should no action be taken
upon it. Therefore, saving water is a necessity. The accumulation of
rainwater can help to save water. Instead of using fresh clean water
to wash your car or water the flowers, rainwater is a better
alternative. To saving water for the future generation, is to start
saving now.