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reSolve: Tree Biomass
In this sequence of two lessons, students investigate how many trees would be required to supply paper for their school for a year. Students use similar triangles, Pythagoras' Theorem and algebra to design and construct a Biltmore stick, used to measure the diameter and height of a tree. They measure trees, calculate their volume and use the density of the tree to find the dry mass of the tree. They estimate the amount of paper used in the school and hence estimate the number of trees that need to be cut down to supply the school's paper needs. The lessons are outlined in detail including curriculum links, vocabulary, sample answers, discussion points and student resources. This sequence is part of the reSolve: Mathematics by Inquiry program.
Additional details |
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Year level(s) | Year 9 |
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Audience | Teacher |
Purpose | Teaching resource |
Format | Downloadable resources |
Teaching strategies and pedagogical approaches | Mathematics investigation |
Keywords | volume, cylinders, ratios, scale, similarity |
Curriculum alignment |
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Curriculum connections | Numeracy |
Strand and focus | Measurement, Build understanding, Apply understanding |
Topics | Area, volume and surface area, Proportion, rates and ratios, Pythagoras and trigonometry |
AC: Mathematics content descriptions |
ACMMG217
Calculate the surface area and volume of cylinders and solve related problems
ACMMG221
Solve problems using ratio and scale factors in similar figures
ACMMG222
Investigate Pythagoras’ Theorem and its application to solving simple problems involving right angled triangles
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National numeracy learning progression |
Comparing units (ratios, rates and proportion)
Understanding geometric properties - UGP6 |
Copyright details |
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Organisation | reSolve Maths by Inquiry |
Copyright | © Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment 2021. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0. |
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