MathWriteUp

JustCountThePegs
HunterReinseth

ProblemStatement:

Threestudentsareplayingwithformulasandareasusingageoboard.Freddiehascomeupwitha
formulaforanypolygonwithnopegsinsideoftheshape.Sallyhasaformulaforanypolygonwith
exactlyfourpegsontheboundaryandFrashyhascomeupwiththebestandamoreefficient
formula:theareaforanypolygonwithanyamountofpegsontheboundaryandwithintheshape.
ThepointofthisproblemistousetheothertwoformulastofindFrashysFormula.

Process:

Firstwemakeshapeswithnopegsinthecenterandwehavetoseehowmanywecanmakewithno
pegs.Thenwehavetotakealltheshapeswemadeandmakeitintotables.SotableAiswithno
interiorpegs,tableBiswithoneinteriorpeg,andtableCiswith2interiorpegs.

A:
x

.5

1.5

Equationforthistable:y=.5(x2)

ThenwedothesameforBandC.

B:
x

4.5

10

11

5.5

Equationforthistable:y=.5(x+0)

C:
x

10

11

6.5

12

13

7.5

Equationforthistable:y=.5(x+(2))

thesearemypolygons.

Solution:

TheequationthatIfoundthatworkswithalltheequationsIfoundisy=.5(x+2)(p1)

Evaluation:
Discussyourpersonalreactiontotheproblem.

 Whatdidyoulearnfromit?
Ilearnedthattherearealotofdifferentformulasthatwork.

DescribeoneHabitofaMathematicianthatyouused?
OnehabitthatIusedwasstayorganized.Imadesuretostayorganizedwithmy
workthewholetime.

Howwouldyouchangetheproblemtomakeitbetter?
IthinkIwouldhaveusworkinpairs.

Didyouenjoyworkingonit?
Ididenjoyworkingonthisproblem.

Wasittoohardortooeasy?
Medium