Geometric volume calculations are brought into the real world in a quick set of application problems. Learners are asked to help a patient figure out how to drink a prescribed amount of water both at work and at home. This activity provides an engaging answer to that often asked question "When am I ever going to USE this?"

Concepts

volume, cones, cylinders, radius

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Could be a problem set introduction to a real-life geometry project (calculating dimensions in application)
• Good open response practice question for end of course testing

Classroom Considerations

• Higher reading level introduction might require ESL support
• Assumes learners already know how to calculate volume of cones and cylinders
• Last page contains copyright logo only, if copying costs are a concern
• First page with student task is not separated from teacher notes

Pros

• Light-hearted tone of the problem with serious math chops underneath
• Challenging but not overwhelming constraints
• Clearly worked out step-by-step solutions

Cons

• None

Common Core

HSG-GMD.A.3 MP4