Problem Solving

Christina Ramirez
 Chapter 111. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics
Subchapter A. Elementary

§111.5. Grade 3, Adopted 2012.

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(1) Mathematical process standards. The student uses mathematical processes to

acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:
(A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the
workplace;
(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;
(C) select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and
technology as appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and
number sense as appropriate, to solve problems;
(D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using
multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as
appropriate;
(E) create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate
mathematical ideas;
(F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical
"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
The key words are: half the height

Remember: When a rubber ball bounces, it loses its velocity.

The rubber ball is dropped from the rooftop 18 m above the ground then bounces half the height it was
dropped. What is the answer?
When the rubber ball bounces a second time from the ground, what is half of its height?
When the rubber ball bounces a third time, what is half of its height?
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.
What is the total the rubber ball traveled after it bounces the third time?