Calendar Challenge

Open a 2015 calendar to the month of April. If your friend chooses four dates that
form a square on the calendar and only tells you the sum of the dates, can you
determine which four dates she chose?

Answer each of the following questions by showing mathematical calculations and

providing explanations in complete sentences. Answers to the first three questions
should be written only in terms of the variable you select, with real calendar dates
used only in questions 4 & 5.
1. Use a variable to represent one of the dates in the square, making sure that you
identify exactly what your variable represents. Write individual expressions for
each of the other three dates in the square in relation to that same variable, and
identify which position in the square of dates that each expression represents
(i.e. top left, top right, etc.). Explain the reasons why these expressions
accurately represent the dates in the square.
2. Write a single expression that represents the sum of the four dates in terms of
the variable you chose, then simplify the expression. Explain the steps you
used to write and simplify your expression.
3. Beginning with the simplified expression from question 2, outline the steps you
would use to determine the four dates. Demonstrate your solution through
mathematical calculation, then explain why those steps would work.
4. Using the sum of four dates given to you by a parent/friend, confirm that the
solution method outlined in question 3 works. Show that your solution method
can be used to find the four dates chosen.

5. Do you think this method will work for every month of the year? Why or why
not? Justify your answer with an explanation and at least one example from
another month in 2015.

Rubric - Calendar Conundrum

Criteria

Complete
Problem
Solution

Complete
Problem
Explanation

Mathematic
al
Computatio
n/ Errors

Diagrams &
Sketches

Neatness &
Organizatio
n

5Exceptional

4
Above
Average

Uses an
efficient and
effective
strategy to
solve the
problem(s).

Uses an
effective
strategy to
solve the
problem(s).

Explanation of
strategy/
solution is
detailed and
clear.

Explanation
of strategy/
solution is
clear.

More than
90% of the
steps and
solutions are
correct with
no
mathematical
errors. All
problems are
completed.

Almost all
(more than
85%)of the
steps and
solutions are
correct with
no
mathematica
l errors. All
problems are
completed.
Diagrams
and/or
sketches are
clear and
easy to
understand.

Diagrams
and/or
sketches are
clear and
greatly add to
the reader's
understanding
of the
procedure(s).
Work is
presented in a
neat, clear,
organized
fashion that is
easy to
comprehend.

Work is
presented in
a neat and
organized
fashion that
is generally
easy to
comprehend.

3Satisfactory
Sometimes
uses an
effective
strategy to
solve
problems, but
does not do it
consistently.
Explanation is
a little difficult
to understand,
but includes
critical
components.
More than 75%
of the steps
and solutions
have no
mathematical
errors. All
problems are
completed.

Diagrams
and/or
sketches are
somewhat
difficult to
understand
and slightly
add to the
readers
understanding.
Work is
presented in a
generally
organized
fashion but
may be hard to
comprehend at
times.

2
Needs
Improvemen
t

1
Poor/
Unacceptabl
e

Rarely uses an
effective
strategy to
solve problems.

Strategies/
procedures are
not shown.

Explanation is
difficult to
understand and
is missing
several
components OR
was not
included.
More than 75%
of the steps and
solutions have
mathematical
errors. Several
of the problems
are not
completed.

No explanation
for strategy/
solution
provided.

Diagrams
and/or sketches
are difficult to
understand or
do not add to
the readers
understanding.

Diagrams
and/or
sketches are
not included.

Work appears
sloppy and
unorganized. It
is difficult to
understand
what
information
goes together.

Work is
unorganized
and illegible;
unable to
comprehend
any part of
solution.

Score

_______

All problems
contain errors.
None of the
problems are
completed.

_______

_______

_______

_______

TOTAL
POINTS

______/25