Mathematics Coursework - Pond Borders
A gardener decides to build a rectangular pond and then to place slabs around it. He
decides to look at how many slabs are needed for different sized ponds.
For example if the pond is 3m by 2m then 14 slabs are needed. (See below)
1
2
3
4
5
14
6
13
7
12
11
10
9
8
1. Draw a similar diagram for a pond that is 4m by 2m and note the number of
slabs needed.
2. How many slabs would be needed if the pond were 5m by 2m?
3. Work out the results for 3 other ponds each time keeping the width as 2m.
4. Copy a table of results like the one below and fill in your results in a sensible
order.
Width
Length
Number of
slabs
2
2
2
5. Try to find the connection between the length of the pond and the number of
slabs for a pond, which is 2m wide.
6. Adapt the problem slightly to make a new problem of your own and then
explore this problem.
Deadline: _________________
Extensions are only given for illness lasting at least 4 days.
If you are absent on the deadline then it is your responsibility to ensure
that any outstanding work is handed in.