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To find the best answer students will need to resort to trigonometry, although this is not necessary to make a satisfactory attempt at the question.
Efficient Packing
Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level 
Why do this problem ?
This problem will allow students to engage with calculations of areas of disks, often used as an approximation to real objects in science. They will also practice visualisation skills.To find the best answer students will need to resort to trigonometry, although this is not necessary to make a satisfactory attempt at the question.
Possible approach
Whilst students might be familiar with the concept of the area of a disk they might be unable immediately to see how to apply this to the question in hand. Some discussion might facilitate this. Note that there are two 'obvious' different ways to pack disks. Which will work best? Discuss this. When they do the packing calculation, be sure to note that students must be clear as to exactly how may rows and columns of disks will fit into the grid. They can do this exactly (using trigonometry) or by drawing an accurate diagram and taking a measurement. Or, perhaps, they will produce some other valid method.Key questions
- Describe your method of packing the disks clearly in words.
- How many different sensible packing methods might you try?
- Can you be sure that each disk is completely contained within the confines of the square?
- What order of magnitude checks could you make to test that your answer is sensible?
Possible extension
Can students repeat the question by filling an equilateral triangle with side 1m?Possible support
Provide coins or counters for the students physically to work
with.
Students might struggle with the 'open' nature of the
questions. To begin, they might like to read the
Student Guide to Getting Started with Rich Tasks
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