Task of the Week: Percentage Calculation at the Entrance

Today’s “Task of the Week” was created by Markus Heinze in the trail “Schillergymnasium” in Bautzen and combines percentage calculation with a geometric question.

Task: Percentage Calculation at the Entrance (task number: 1262)

Determine how many percent of the entrance doors are made of glass.

Mr. Heinze was kindly available for a short interview so that we can present his assessment and experience with the task. We would like to thank him very much!

How did you get the idea for this task?
I wanted to create different tasks for an 8th or 7th class. I had a free time but it rained right at that time. That’s why I stood at the entrance at first and thought about how to install the entrance door and so, the idea arose to connect triangular areas and percentage calculation.

Which mathematical skills and competencies should be addressed in the task?
On the one hand, of course, modeling and problem solving is of high importance, because I had noticed deficits in the competence test in this area among the students in the 8th class. But also the visual ability is strengthened, of course, since real objects are being worked with and the students receive an idea of ​​areas and percentages.

Has the task already been solved by pupils? If so, what feedback was given?
The task was solved by students of a 9th class and they found it relatively simple but interesting, but this is also because they had not worked with the app before and were generally enthusiastic about the matter. I think for a 7th or 8th class it is suitable.