Bobs Math

And now for something completely different...

Well, today's no different.

For the season break, I thought I'd share one of their homework problem, also known as "The Christmas Tree Problem".

For context, this is a split class of 5th and 6th graders, they're presented with a challenging curriculum that diverges from many of the traditional 5th and 6th grade topics.  One aspect of that curriculum is known as "Bob's Math" (for the teacher, Bob Whittemore).  He covers stuff that's usually far beyond the normal course of study for 5th and 6th graders, some of them are high school subjects.

Just before the winter break, Bob traditionally assigns this homework problem...

Find the volume and surface area of the following Christmas Tree:

One pyramid with L=W=2’ S=2’   A stick with no dimension.   An equilateral triangular prism with L=8’ and W=2’. A cylinder where r=1’ and w=2’ is cut out An equilateral triangular prism with L=1’ and W=2’ is cut out Two cones with H=1’, r=.5’  Find the slope or slant height An equilateral triangular prism with L=9’ and W=2’. Two cylinders where r=1.5’ and w=2’ are cutout. An equilateral triangular prism with L=1.5’ and W=2’ is cut out. Two cones with H=1’, r=.5’ Find the slope or slant height   A triangular prism with L=10’ and W=2’. A cylinder where r=2’ and w=2’ Two cylinders where r=1.5’ and w=2’ are cut out An equilateral triangular prism with L=1.5’ and W=2’ is cut out Two cones with H=1’, r=.5’ Find the slope or slant height   A base consisting of a single rectangular prism with L=W=2’ and H=3’

Terms: L=Length     W=Width     H=Height     S = Slant Height    R=Radius

On this note, I'm off for vacation.  I'll be back late December, but until then, I don't know how spotty my internet access will be.  I'll see what I can do to keep the blog moving forward given the moderation (which I can't remove unfortunately), but ymmv.