MEP: Demonstration Project Y9B, Unit 9

ACTIVITIES 9.1 and 9.3 Notes and Solutions

Notes and solutions given only where appropriate.

9.1 The values in the first column should be approximately 2π , giving A = 2π rh .

This can be seen to be true by noting that the two sides of the card are the height, h, and the
circumference, 2π r , of the circle.

9.3 The idea of symmetry is important here, and you should encourage your pupils to use their
intuition.

1. Maximum area of 2500 m 2 when a square of side 50 m is formed.

2. You can use intuition, numerical results, algebra or calculus here.

The maximum area is formed by using sides of length 50 m, 100 m, 50 m, giving an area
of 5000 m 2 .

3. The maximum area is formed when the length is placed symmetrically as shown.
Using Pythagoras, the side a is given by

a 2 + a 2 = 200 2
a 200
So a 2 = 20 000 . The area is given by

1 1 45˚
a × a = × 20 000 = 10 000 m 2 a
2 2
(Again, you can use numerical evaluation or calculus to obtain this result.)
4. The results follow in a similar way, and you should obtain maximum areas:

x2
1.
16

x2
2.
8

x2
3.
4

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