Mathematical Modelling and Problem Solving
Mathematical Modelling and Problem Solving
ALL questions below regarding painting a bedroom must be answered. Show ALL step-by-step calculations, round all of your final answers correctly, and include the units of measurement. For full credit, all explanations must be given in the spaces provided. Upload this modified Answer Form to the intellipath Unit 2 Submission lesson. Make sure that you submit your work in a modified Microsoft Word document; scanned or handwritten work will not be accepted. If you need assistance, please contact your course instructor.
All of the commonly used formulas for geometric objects are just the mathematical models of the characteristics of physical objects. For example, because a basketball is approximately a sphere, it can be partially modeled by its distance from one side through the center (radius, r) and then to the other side by the diameter formula for a sphere, D = 2r .
For the two-dimensional variables of length (L) and width (W), the perimeter and area formulas for a rectangle are mathematical modelling for the distance around a rectangle (perimeter, P) and the region enclosed by the sides (area, A), respectively, as follows:
P = 2L + 2W and A = L × W
Along with another variable, height (H), a three-dimensional rectangular prism’s volume and surface area can be measured. For example, the formulas for a common closed cardboard box’s inside space (volume, V) and outside covering (surface area, SA) are, respectively, as follows:
V = L x W x H and SA = 2(L x W) + 2(W x H) + 2(L x H)
For this Submission of mathematical modelling Assignment, follow Pólya’s principles to solve your problems, as follows:
1. Understand the problem.
2. Devise a plan.
3. Carry out the plan.
4. Take a look back.
Include the following in your mathematical modelling assignment:
· Explain your interpretation of what the problem is about.
· Develop and write down a strategy for solving this problem; show the steps in the correct order for your attempted solution.
· Did your strategy actually solve the problem? How do you know?
· Suppose that your solution did not solve the problem—what would your next action be?
Painting a Bedroom
The walls and ceiling inside your bedroom need to be painted. To save money, you decide that you will paint the bedroom yourself. Use the following information to solve this problem:
· The bedroom is 17 feet long by 18 feet wide, and the ceiling is 9 feet high.
· The inside of the bedroom door will be painted the same color as the walls.
· Two coats of paint will be applied to all of the painted surfaces.
· The room has one window, measuring 3 feet, 9 inches by 4 feet, which will not be painted.
Pólya’s Principle Step 1: Understand the Problem
1. Describe in detail what you understand the problem to be. In other words, what problem will you need to solve? Is there enough information to enable you to find a solution to your problem?
Show your work here: (10 points)
2. Discuss different ways to construct the room that will be painted. Are there any restrictions on where the window and door will be located? Will the overall amount of paint that is needed change based on where these are placed in the room?
