YEAR 9 MATHEMATICS

MEASUREMENT INVESTIGATION

Purpose

To demonstrate your ability to:

use mathematical measurement and problem-solving strategies as well as your knowledge, skills, and
understanding of mathematical ideas and processes
effectively and appropriately communicate relevant mathematical information within your solutions.

Description of assessment

You are to measure large area shapes within the school grounds using a number of different measurement tools
and use these measurements to calculate the perimeter and area of the shapes. All solutions are to be supported
with calculations and appropriate representation and notation.

Assessment conditions

You have one week to complete this assessment task. Use of technology is required. Your investigation should
include:
(a) an introduction that demonstrates your understanding of the problem to be explored
(b) evidence of the developed solution and the solution reached
(c) analysis and interpretation of the results
(d) a conclusion
(e) acknowledgements, appendices, and bibliography (as required).

Learning Aims:
1. understand mathematical concepts and relationships, making use of electronic technology where appropriate to aid
and enhance understanding
2. identify, collect, and organise mathematical information relevant to investigating and finding solutions to
questions/problems taken from social, scientific, economic, or historical contexts
3. recognise and apply the mathematical techniques
needed when analysing and finding a solution to a question/problem in context
4. interpret results, draw conclusions, and reflect on the reasonableness of these
in the context of the question/problem
5. communicate mathematical reasoning and ideas using appropriate language and representations
work both independently and cooperatively in planning, organising, and carrying out mathematical activities.

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 YEAR 9 MATHEMATICS

MEASUREMENT INVESTIGATION

Introduction

The courtyard nearest the chapel at Christian Brothers College has three synthetic grassed
areas. The diagram below shows an aerial via of the courtyard. Each grassed shape must
be measured so as both the perimeter and area of the shapes can be calculated.

Mathematical Investigations, Analysis and Discussion

The aim of the investigation is to develop a strategy for solving problems involving
composite shapes. Students should recognise the difference between measuring the
perimeter of a shape and its area. Students will need to identify internal
measurements that will assist in calculating the area.

This investigation has six parts:

1. Break the composite shapes into parts that form simpler shapes capable of being solved.
2. Identify the appropriate area formula for each shape and define the variables required to solve
the formula.
3. Identify where these variables can be measured in the courtyard and, using appropriate
measuring tools, obtain measurements of the variables making sure they are recorded.

4. Summarise your results including information about the reasonableness and possible
limitations of your results.
5. Draw scaled drawings.
6. Use formulas to calculate the perimeter and area of the shape, ensuring that you identify what
formula you are using and why?

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Maths Measurement (perimeter
& Area) rubric

Criterion Basic (1) Proficient (2) Advanced (3)

1. Break the composite Breaks the composite Understands that

shapes into parts that form shapes into composite shapes can
simpler shapes capable of being rectangles and be resolved into basic
solved. triangles shapes:
(Weighting x 2) Squares, rectangles,
parallelograms etc
Triangles,
Circles, segments

2. Identify the appropriate Implicit use of Identifies basic Identifies basic

area formula for each shape and equations in formulae: formulae including area
define the variables required to calculations Squares rectangles (L of segments
solve the formula. & W) (Angle/radius)
and triangles (B & H)

3. Identify where these Records all external Identifies internal

variables can be measured in the measurements measurements required
courtyard and, using appropriate
measuring tools, obtain
measurements of the variables
making sure they are recorded.
(Weighting x 1.5)

4. Summarise your results Implicit Identifies the

including information about the assumptions limitations of
reasonableness and possible made in calculating some
limitations of your results. calculations shapes and uses
estimates to simplify
calculations

5. Draw scaled drawings. Provides drawings of Draws scaled drawings

the areas with a scale key

6. Use formulas to calculate Calculates the Calculates the Calculates the

the perimeter and area of the perimeter and perimeter and areas perimeter and area of
shape, ensuring that you identify areas of one of two shapes. all shapes
what formula you are using and simple shape.
why?

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