The Boat problem
wRITE UP
Problem Statement
For this problem, there were different people on a boat which could hold up 300 LBS. The weights of the people varied largely. The names were Chris (180), Zoe (120), Bob (230) & Al (270). Each could only carry 50 pounds of supply, which means some couldn't carry any supplies at all because they'd be over the boats maximum weight capacity. The problem was to figure out how many trips it would take to get everyone across the river.
Process Description
My group and I figured out the problem just by looking at it. There can only be one possible way for everyone to get across the river because there are no variations or differences through out it, they are the same people with the same weights and same supplies. We drew the problem out as follows...
For this problem, there were different people on a boat which could hold up 300 LBS. The weights of the people varied largely. The names were Chris (180), Zoe (120), Bob (230) & Al (270). Each could only carry 50 pounds of supply, which means some couldn't carry any supplies at all because they'd be over the boats maximum weight capacity. The problem was to figure out how many trips it would take to get everyone across the river.
Process Description
My group and I figured out the problem just by looking at it. There can only be one possible way for everyone to get across the river because there are no variations or differences through out it, they are the same people with the same weights and same supplies. We drew the problem out as follows...
Solution
To solve the problem of getting everyone across the river was fairly simple. We looked at the amount of people and how much each individual weighed with/without supplies. We found that the only people who would be able to carry supplies are Chris, Zoe and Bob because they'd all be under 300 LBS. To solve, we just added them together and saw what their weights would be when paired together, leaving Al alone on his own being 270 LBS. The illustration above is the process and pattern of how they would have had to cross the river.
Self-Assessment and Reflection
I've done this problem before in the past but just with different variants in weight or a different situation. I can't say I learned anything new from it but I know that problems like these are important for the mind to think in a different way from traditional mathematical problems. I think I deserve an A on this assignment because we got it done quickly, efficiently and correctly. The Habit of Mind that relates closely to this problem is collaboration and listening to what other group members have to say because they can look at it in a different way. They could have a better, more effiecient way of solving it than you do.
To solve the problem of getting everyone across the river was fairly simple. We looked at the amount of people and how much each individual weighed with/without supplies. We found that the only people who would be able to carry supplies are Chris, Zoe and Bob because they'd all be under 300 LBS. To solve, we just added them together and saw what their weights would be when paired together, leaving Al alone on his own being 270 LBS. The illustration above is the process and pattern of how they would have had to cross the river.
Self-Assessment and Reflection
I've done this problem before in the past but just with different variants in weight or a different situation. I can't say I learned anything new from it but I know that problems like these are important for the mind to think in a different way from traditional mathematical problems. I think I deserve an A on this assignment because we got it done quickly, efficiently and correctly. The Habit of Mind that relates closely to this problem is collaboration and listening to what other group members have to say because they can look at it in a different way. They could have a better, more effiecient way of solving it than you do.