Problem Solving

By: Andrea Lara

 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
(b) Knowledge and skills.
(1) Mathematical process standards. The student uses mathematical
processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The
student is expected to:
(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
 Problem Solving Time!
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

I will repeat the question throughout my slides to dive in further. Here we go!
 Lets break it down
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?

The height the rubber ball dropped is 18 m. Half of 18 m is 9 m.

18/2 = 9
Once the ball hits
the ground with 18
m, it takes 9 m to
go back up. Now
the ball is at 9 m.

18/2 = 9
 Cont.
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?

We repeat the process as before. The current height of the rubber ball is 9
m. Half of 9 m is 4.5 m.

9/2 = 4.5
Once the ball hits the
ground with 9 m, it takes
half of 9 m to go back
up. Now the ball is at 4.5
m.

9/2 = 4.5
The rubber ball has now hit the ground three times
Add up the five distances to get the total.
Thus, the total distance traveled by the time it hits the ground the
third time is 45.
 Explanation
Start with 18 m. The ball drops three times. Identify the three distances.

1 - 18 (drops)

2 - 9, 9 (drops, goes back up)

3 - 4.5, 4.5 (drops, goes back up)

Add up the five distances to get the total.

18 + 9 + 9 + 4.5 + 4.5 = 45 meters