Mrs+Pansy's+Garden

= Mrs Pansy's Garden: = __Learning Intentions:__ To use perimeters and area in a real life situation. To find out what shapes cover the same area but have different perimeters. To use Pythagorus’ theorum to measure the length of diagonal lines.

The Challenge:
Mrs Pansy wants to enter a garden show. She has been given a certain area to keep her flowers in. The area measures 48 square metres. The gardens must have a minimum width of 2 metres at any point. During the show she wants the maximum number of people to be able to see her flowers so she needs the biggest possible perimeter. All the shapes that make up the area have to touch each other by the sides, not by the corners. The minimum space needed to show the flowers is 2 metres

Brainstorm:
We designed different flower areas to present to Mrs Pansy, that each cover 48 square metres. We worked out the perimeters and present them to Mrs Pansy. The one we recommeded was the one that had that had the largest perimeter - 52 metres.

Our Solution:
Our presentation included birds eye view made in keynote, and 3d view made in Google sketchup. This is our garden. The perimeter is 52m, and our area is 48m2. Our name is Pi r square. I really liked making this garden, and had a lot of fun.
 * [[image:http://bbi.knowledge.net.nz/index.php?control=database_file&fmc=image_file_manager_config&record_id=bbi:425401]] ||
 * [[image:http://bbi.knowledge.net.nz/index.php?control=database_file&fmc=image_file_manager_config&record_id=bbi:425416]] ||
 * [[image:http://bbi.knowledge.net.nz/index.php?control=database_file&fmc=image_file_manager_config&record_id=bbi:425411 width="400" height="110"]] ||
 * [[image:http://bbi.knowledge.net.nz/index.php?control=database_file&fmc=image_file_manager_config&record_id=bbi:425411 width="400" height="110"]] ||

Reflection:
My finished design covered 48 square metres. My finished design had a perimeter of 52 metres.

When I was working on Mrs Pansy's Garden, I found it easy to show it on keynote and sketchup, but moderately hard to design it in the first time.

I found it difficult to find a design that had a minimum width of 2 metres at any point, and try to find a garden with a bigger perimeter than 52 metres. Also it was hard to decide on a logo that showed mathematical interest, and we could not agree on what we wanted.

If I did this investigation again, I would try to use some shapes that used diagonals to get a bigger perimeter.

After completing this investigation, I now know I have to choose my partners carefully and keep to my time management plan.