Kurunjang Secondary College

Learning Task - Algebra

Name: Nature of Task: Application Task – Mr Gershwin’s Piano

Subject: Maths Date Issued:
Year Level: 9 Due Date:

Assessment Rubric
Algebra – Mr Gershwin’s Piano
Students must gain a satisfactory in each criteria in order to gain an overall Satisfactory result for the work requirement.

3 2 1 0
Diagrams drawn
Diagrams drawn, Diagrams drawn, not
neatly and accurately,
Drawing Diagrams measurements all measurements Not shown
showing all
included on diagrams included
measurements
Expressions of
Expressions of Some attempt to show
Writing an perimeter and area
perimeter and area expressions of Not shown
expression correctly stated in all
stated, mostly correct perimeter and area
instances
All expressions Expressions mostly Some attempt to
Expanding and
correctly expanded expanded, some expand and simplify Not shown
Simplifying
and simplified simplification evident expressions
Substitutions
Substitutions and Substitutions done,
attempted and some
calculations correct, most calculations
Calculations calculations correct, Not shown
all working shown correct, all working
minimal working
including correct units shown including units
shown
All results explained Some results Minimal results
Explanation of
using appropriate explained using explained using
results (use of
mathematical appropriate appropriate Not shown
Mathematical
terminology to each mathematical mathematical
Language)
question terminology terminology
Total /15
Result S/N

Comments:

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Extension of Time Application
Applications must be submitted a minimum of 2 days prior to the due date. Extension of time will only be granted for a
maximum of 3 days

Name: Subject: Maths Due Date:

Reason for Extension:

Approved/Not Approved: Revised Due Date:

 Year 9 Algebra Learning Task - Mr Gershwin’s piano

Mr Gershwin is attempting to find the right size grand piano to fit into his modest
apartment. The size of the room in his apartment is represented by a rectangle whose
sides are described by the expressions ( 4 x−4 ) (width in metres) and (8 x−8) (length in
metres).
1. Draw a diagram to illustrate Mr Gershwin’s apartment, remember to include the
dimensions of the room (e.g. width and length).

( 4 x−4 )

(8x – 8)

2. Find an expression for the perimeter of the room. Simplify this expression to the
simplest form.
Perimeter means to add all the distances around the room.
So for example if a room with 4 sides and each was 4x+ 2, 4x+2, 2x+2 and 2x+2.
Perimeter would be = (4x + 2) + (4x + 2) + (2x + 2) + (2x + 2)
Cleaning that up would be = 12x + 8
Perimeter = 12x + 8
 3. Find an expression for the area of the room, make sure you expand and simplify.

Area is given by the length x width.

If a room was length = 4x + 2 and width = 2x+2

Then the area would be as follows:

Area = (4x + 2)(2x+2)

To simplify you need to expand the brackets.

Area = 8x2 + 8x + 4x + 4
Area = 8x2 + 12x + 4
4. If the piano is essentially rectangular, and Mr Gershwin wants his piano to be half the
width and length of the room. Draw a diagram to illustrate the size of the piano,
including the dimensions of the piano (e.g width and length).

Pretty much drawing a rectangle and then dividing the length in half and the width in
half.

SO an example would be as below.

If our original length was = 4x + 2

Then to get our new length we halve it or divide by 2.

(4x + 2)/2 = 2x + 1

So our new length is 2x + 1.

If our original width was 2x + 2.

Then to get our new width we halve it or divide by 2.

(2x + 2)/2 = x + 1

So our new length is x + 1.

X+1

2x + 1
 5. Find an expression for the perimeter of the piano. Simplify this expression to the
simplest form.

Perimeter means to add all the distances around the room.

So another example using above dimensions, if piano with 4 sides and each was 2x + 1,
2x+1, x+1 and x+1.
Perimeter would be = (2x + 1) + (2x + 1) + (x + 1) + (x + 1)
Cleaning that up would be = 6x + 4
Perimeter = 6x + 4

6. Find an expression for the area of the piano, make sure you expand and simplify.
Area = length x width.

Area = (2x + 1)(x+1)

Area = 2x2 + 2x + x + 1
Area = 2x2 + 3x + 1
 7. For a value of x=3 (metres), find the area of the piano and the area of Mr Gershwin’s
room.
Using the answers from above. We are to substitute x = 3 into the area equations and find
out the numerical answer.
Area of piano = 2x2 + 3x + 1
Area of piano = 2(3)2 + 3(3) + 1 substitute 3 wherever you see “x”
Area of piano = (2x3x3) + (3x3) + 1
Area of piano = 18 + 9 +1
Area of piano = 28m2

Area of room = 8x2 + 12x + 4

Area of room = 8(3)2 + 12(3) + 4 substitute 3 wherever you see “x”
Area of room = (8x3x3) + (12x3) + 4
Area of room = 72 + 36 +4
Area of room = 112m2

8. What area of the room is not occupied by the piano?

To find this answer we:

Area of room – Area of piano = 112m2 - 28m2 = 84m2

Area not occupied by the piano is 84m2.

9. Mr Gershwin decides the piano will be much too large. If the size of the piano is
halved again (that is, the dimensions are one quarter of the room) what is the new
expression for the area of the piano? (You may wish to draw a new diagram of the
piano)
 10. If the value of x=2 (metres), what is the new area of the room?

11. Write an expression that shows the area that is NOT occupied by the piano. ( HINT:
subtract the area expressions you found in questions 3 and 9 )

Reflection:

1. Did you use your note book for this task? If not, why not?

2. Was it helpful? If not, why not?

3. Did you complete all questions in the allocated time?

4. What extra help did you need to complete this task?

5. How can you be better prepared for your next task?