lesson 1 5 problem solving using formulas in geometry

Problem Solving

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Problem Solving: Use a Formula

What Is It?

Using a Formula is a problem-solving strategy that students can use to find answers to math problems involving geometry , percents , measurement , or algebra. To solve these problems, students must choose the appropriate formula and substitute data in the correct places of a formula. The following problem would be best solved using a formula:

If it is 46 degrees Celsius, how many degrees Fahrenheit is it?

Students can use the formula F = 1.8C + 32 to find the solution.

Why Is It Important?

Using a Formula is a problem-solving strategy that can be used for problems that involve converting units or measuring geometric objects. Also, real-world problems such as tipping in a restaurant, finding the price of a sale item, and buying enough paint for a room all involve using formulas.

How Can You Make It Happen?

Introduce a problem to students that requires them to use a formula to solve the problem. For example:

A rectangle has an area of 40 square meters. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 26 meters, what are the length and the width of the rectangle?

Understand the Problem

Demonstrate that the first step to solving the problem is understanding it. This involves identifying the key pieces of information needed to find the answer. This may require students to read the problem several times or put the problem into their own words. Here are a few formulas that students can use to solve this problem:

A = L x W 40 = L x W

2W + 2L = P 2W + 2L = 26

(Note: L and W can be interchanged in this problem.)

Choose a Strategy

The strategy of Using a Formula can be used in situations where measurements are required to find the solution.

Solve the Problem

I know 40 is a product of 2 and 20, 4 and 10, or 5 and 8.

I looked at the possible answers that would fit the formula for the area of the rectangle. Then I put the numbers into the formula for the perimeter. The numbers 5 and 8 are the two numbers that work for both formulas.

Read the problem again to be sure the question was answered.

I found the length and width of the rectangle, 5 meters and 8 meters.

Check the math to be sure it is correct.

A = L x W 40 = L x W 40 = 8 x 5 P = 2L + 2W 26 = 2L + 2W 26 + 2(8) + 2(5)

Determine if the best strategy was chosen for this problem, or if there was another way to solve the problem.

Using a formula was a good strategy to use for this problem.

The last step is explaining how you found the answer. Demonstrate how to write a paragraph describing the steps taken and how decisions were made throughout the process.

Students should explain their answer and the process they went through to solve it. It is important for students to talk or write about their thinking.

I knew the formula for area and perimeter, so I wrote down the formulas. A = L x W P = 2L + 2W I added the information I knew, which was the area and perimeter of this rectangle. 40 = L x W 26 = 2L + 2W Then I wrote down the numbers that could be the length and width if the area is 40 square meters. I know 40 is a product of 2 and 20, 4 and 10, or 5 and 8. I took those possible numbers and used them with the formula for perimeter. The numbers that did not also fit into this formula, I eliminated. I eliminated 2 and 20 as well as 4 and 10, since those numbers did not work in the perimeter formula. I was left with the numbers 8 and 5. Since they are interchangeable in this problem, I assigned the width as 5 meters and the length as 8 meters.

Guided Practice

Have students try to solve the following problem using the strategy of Using a Formula.

In an isosceles triangle, the unequal side measures half the length of one of the two equal sides. What is the perimeter if the length of the unequal side is 5 cm? What is the length of the sides if the perimeter is 80 cm?

Have students work in pairs, in groups, or individually to solve this problem. They should be able to tell or write about how they found the answer and justify their reasoning.

How Can You Stretch Students' Thinking?

Math problems requiring formulas can be simple, with few criteria needed to solve them, or they can be multidimensional, requiring charts or tables to organize students' thinking. Including more than one formula in a problem, or having multiple correct answers to a problem will help stretch this strategy.

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1 5 Problem Solving Using Formulas In Geometry

1 5 Problem Solving Using Formulas In Geometry - Displaying top 8 worksheets found for this concept.

Some of the worksheets for this concept are Geometry word problems no problem, Practice workbook lowres, Word problem practice workbook, Solving equations work answer key, Foundations for geometry, Formulas symbols math review and sample problems, Measurement and data volume grade 5 formative assessment, Name date class lesson practice c x x 1 6 midpoint and.

Found worksheet you are looking for? To download/print, click on pop-out icon or print icon to worksheet to print or download. Worksheet will open in a new window. You can & download or print using the browser document reader options.

1. Geometry Word Problems No Problem!

2. practice workbook lowres, 3. word problem practice workbook, 4. solving equations worksheet answer key, 5. foundations for geometry, 6. formulas, symbols, math review, and sample problems, 7. measurement and data: volume grade 5 formative assessment ..., 8. name date class lesson practice c x-x 1-6 midpoint and ....

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Geometry (all content)

Unit 1: lines, unit 2: angles, unit 3: shapes, unit 4: triangles, unit 5: quadrilaterals, unit 6: coordinate plane, unit 7: area and perimeter, unit 8: volume and surface area, unit 9: pythagorean theorem, unit 10: transformations, unit 11: congruence, unit 12: similarity, unit 13: trigonometry, unit 14: circles, unit 15: analytic geometry, unit 16: geometric constructions, unit 17: miscellaneous.

• Kindergarten
• Greater Than Less Than
• Measurement
• Multiplication
• Place Value
• Subtraction
• Punctuation
• 1st Grade Reading
• 2nd Grade Reading
• 3rd Grade Reading
• Cursive Writing

1 5 Problem Solving Using Formulas In Geometry

Showing top 8 worksheets in the category - 1 5 Problem Solving Using Formulas In Geometry .

Some of the worksheets displayed are Geometry word problems no problem, Practice workbook lowres, Word problem practice workbook, Solving equations work answer key, Foundations for geometry, Formulas symbols math review and sample problems, Measurement and data volume grade 5 formative assessment, Name date class lesson practice c x x 1 6 midpoint and.

Once you find your worksheet, click on pop-out icon or print icon to worksheet to print or download. Worksheet will open in a new window. You can & download or print using the browser document reader options.

Geometry Word Problems No Problem!

Practice workbook lowres, word problem practice workbook, solving equations worksheet answer key, foundations for geometry, formulas, symbols, math review, and sample problems, measurement and data: volume grade 5 formative assessment ..., name date class lesson practice c x-x 1-6 midpoint and ....