HCPSS Worthwhile Math Task
Curb Appeal
Common Core Standard
8.G.B.7 Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths in right triangles in
real-world and mathematical problems in two and three dimensions.
MP1:
MP2:
MP4:
MP6:
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Model with mathematics.
Attend to precision.
Common Core Mathematics 8, Unit 2
The Task
You and your friends have been asked by your neighbor to help enhance the curb appeal of her
driveway and she has offered to pay you for your help! She would like you to design two
identical, right triangular flowerbeds to flank the edge of the driveway, as shown in the diagram.
The driveway measures 35 feet by 10 feet. You are being supplied with 50 feet of edging
material for two right triangular beds. She does not, however, want the total area the flowerbeds
to be more than 50 square feet of yard space. With your team, design a blueprint for this project
and provide an explanation for the reason for your choice of design.
Facilitator Notes
1. Arrange students in groups of 3-4 to complete the task. (Look for evidence of MP1.)
2. Prior to providing students with the task, discuss the meaning behind “curb appeal” and
the reasons for wanting to improve the curb appeal of your home including adding value
to your home, increasing value to your neighborhood, pride of ownership etc.
3. This task could be differentiated for various learners. One option is included in 8.G.7
Student Resource A.
Follow-Up Questions
1. How many bags of mulch will you need for your flowerbeds, if you want to have the
mulch at least three inches in depth? How much will this cost if one bag provides 2 cubic
feet of mulch and sells for $4. (Look for evidence of MP2 and MP6.)
2. Begonias are popular flowers often used in hanging baskets and flowerbeds due to their
showy blooms. If your neighbor provides you with 2 flats of begonias, with each flat
Howard County Public Schools Office of Secondary Mathematics Curricular Projects has
licensed this product under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0
Unported License.
HCPSS Worthwhile Math Task
holding 12 plants, how many will you be able to use? (Begonias should be planted 8”-12”
apart.) (Look for evidence of MP2 and MP6.)
3. Research native flowers to your area and design the placement of the flowers based on
the recommendations of your choices.
4. Provide alternate designs for the flowerbeds with various shapes within the same
parameters. (Look for evidence of MP6.)
Solutions
Solutions for the follow up questions will be dependent upon the designs they provide.
Sample Designs:
Howard County Public Schools Office of Secondary Mathematics Curricular Projects has
licensed this product under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0
Unported License.
HCPSS Worthwhile Math Task
Howard County Public Schools Office of Secondary Mathematics Curricular Projects has
licensed this product under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0
Unported License.
HCPSS Worthwhile Math Task
Howard County Public Schools Office of Secondary Mathematics Curricular Projects has
licensed this product under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0
Unported License.