Problem Solving

Ms. Chapa
TEKS
b) Knowledge and skills.
(1) Mathematical process standards. The student uses mathematical
processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The
student is expected to:
(A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the
workplace;
(B) use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given
information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying
the solution and evaluating the problem-solving process and the
reasonableness of the solution;
(E) create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate
mathematical ideas;
(F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate
mathematical ideas; and
(G) display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using
precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.
Problem
A rubber ball rebounds to half the
height it drops. If the ball is dropped
from a rooftop 18 m above the
ground, what is the total distance
traveled by the time it hits the ground
the third time?
a. 31.5 m
b. 40.5 m
c. 45 m
d. 63 m
What is the question asking for?
• The question is asking you to find the total distance the ball
has traveled after hitting the ground for a third time.
• Important things to remember are...
 The building is 18 m tall
 The ball rebounds half the height is was dropped
 Step One
• The first step is to find the distance of the
first bounce and its rebound.
• The ball dropped 18 m and rebounded half of
that.
• To find how much it rebounded divide 18 m by18m
2.
18 m / 2 = 9 m
• The rebound was 9 m.
9m
• Next, add 18 m and 9 m.
18 m + 9 m = 27 m
 Step Two
• The next step is to find the distance of the
second bounce and its rebound.
• The drop for the second bounce would be 9m
and the rebound would be half of that.
• To find the rebound for the second bounce
divide the 9 m by 2.
9 m / 2 = 4.5 m
• Next, add 9 m and 4.5 m to give you the total
distance of the second bounce.
9m
9 m + 4.5 m = 13.5 m
4.5 m
• Finally, add 13.5 m to the 27 m you solved for
in Step One.
13.5 m + 27 m = 40.5 m
 Step Three
• For the third step you have to add the
third bounce to your last answer.
• Since the ball rebounded up 4.5 m then it
came down 4.5 m.
• Therefore you add 4.5 m to the 40.5 m
that you solved for in Step Two

4.5 m + 40.5 m = 45 m
4.5m
 18m

9m
4.5 m

27 m + 13.5 m + 4.5 m = 45 m
Answer
A rubber ball rebounds to half the
height it drops. If the ball is dropped
from a rooftop 18 m above the
ground, what is the total distance
traveled by the time it hits the ground
the third time?
a. 31.5 m
b. 40.5 m
c. 45 m
d. 63 m