reSolve: Area and Perimeter

This series of three lessons explores the relationship between area and perimeter using the context of bumper cars at an amusement park. Students design a rectangular floor plan with the largest possible area with a given perimeter. They then explore the perimeter of a bumper car ride that has a set floor area and investigate the possible rectangles that result. They graph their results and explore the concept that the smaller the difference in side lengths, the smaller the perimeter. Students then design three different floor plans for bumper car rides with different criteria. The lesson is outlined in detail including curriculum links, vocabulary, materials needed, presentation slides, discussion points and student resources. This sequence is part of the reSolve: Mathematics by Inquiry program.