Recreating the Wheel Contest

Okay, here is an example:

The troll at the Winding River Bridge leaps out and tells Math Kid and his problem solving side kick Algo-Rhythm, "You cannot pass over this bridge until you solve my problem.

"Ask away, Evil Troll!" answers Math Kid.

"If the area of a rectangle is 24 square inches, and neither dimension is a prime number or 1, what could be the perimeter of said rectangle?"

Math Kid and Algo-Rhythm put their heads together and pulled out some graph paper and a pencil.

"Since area for a rectangle is found by multiplying length times width, the possible lengths and widths are the factor pairs that equal twenty-four," said Math Kid.

"And," added Algo-Rhythm, "Those pairs are 1 and 24, 2 and 12, 3 and 8, and 4 and 6."

"Then," suggested Math Kid, "if we cross out the pairs that have prime numbers or 1 in them, we only have the pair 4 and 6 left to work with."

"Zowie, Math Kid!" shouted Algo-Rhythm, "You're right! Both 2 and 3 are prime numbers, and 4 and 6 are both composite."

"So," continued Math Kid, "If we use the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle and plug in the length and width, we will have the answer to the Evil Troll's question! Now, uh, what was that perimeter formula?"

"Do you mean 2(L + W) = P?" asked Algo-Rhythm.

"Yes, by crackie!" exclaimed Math Kid. "That's it!" He chewed on his pencil and wrinkled his brow. "Okay, so, first we add 6 + 4 since they are the length and width."

"That gives us 10," Algo-Rhythm offered.

"So it does!" said Math Kid, "So it does! Then, we multiply the sum by 2 to get..."

"...a perimeter of 20 square inches!" shouted an eager Algo-Rhythm. "Let's go tell the troll!" He started to run off, but his feet weren't getting him anywhere.

Math Kid held Algo-Rhythm back. "Whoa there now! Let's think this through. We want to be totally right or we'll never be able to rescue the princess from the Wicked Warlock of the Woodlands."

"Oh, all right," said Algo-Rhythm, calming down.

"Area is measured in square inches, correct?" Math Kid asked.

"Uh-huh!" agreed his trusted side kick.

"So, perimeter cannot be measured in the same units as area," reasoned Math Kid. "Area is measured in square units, but perimeter..."

"...is a straight measure," added Algo-Rhythm, " and is therefore measured in..."

"...plain units," concluded Math Kid. "All right! Now, we are ready to face the Evil Troll.

Math Kid and Algo-Rhythm strode back to the bridge and stood before the Evil Troll.

"Well, have you got an answer for me?" asked the troll, scowling down at the two would-be heros.

"Yes, we have," answered Algo-Rhythm, stepping back to give Math Kid the floor.

"The perimeter of the rectangle in question is 20 inches," Math Kid said, chin held high, hands firmly planted on his hips.

The Evil Troll's shoulders slumped. "You got it right...this time, and you may pass...this time, but just wait till you come back this way again! I'll have a tougher question ready for you then! You just wait and see!"

"We'll be ready for you!" Math Kid called back over his shoulder as he and Algo-Rhythm raced across the bridge toward the Deep Emerald Forest and the princess who needed their help...

Hope you find this helpful! I know my students love to do stuff like this. The ones that are classified as having a learning disability usually like to add pictures or do a comic book version, but most students end up having fun with this assignment.

InkyShadows

Writing explores the deepest, darkest, dustiest corners of the imagination and makes them shine!