Roll Out the Barrel
Computation and Estimation
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Objective
Students will apply mathematical modeling to solve a real-world problem.
Overview of the Lesson
Students are presented with a problem in which their manufacturing company is
given two options for storing oil barrels. These options include a square storage
unit and a rectangular storage unit, (twice the area of the square unit). Their task is
to decide which of the storage units will provide the most inexpensive space to store
125 containers. Students are provided 35mm film canisters and paper mats to
model storage arrangements for each unit. Students find that the arrangement of
the cylinders in the storage unit will affect the cost. Students work in small groups
collecting the data, performing the necessary computations, and constructing
reasons for their unit selection.
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