Lesson 23-- Math in Our World: Dinner Party

Introduction

Hello Mathematicians! Today we will use what we know about area and perimeter to solve real- world problems.

Take a look at these images. They represent cafeteria tables. Think about the following question: How are pictures A and B mathematically the same, and how are they different? Jot down your thoughts in your math notebook.

A: 3 rectangles. Each is 7 units long and 1 unit wide. B: 2 squares. Each is 4 units long.

Make a third picture that shows another table or set of tables. Explain how your picture is the same as and different from pictures A and B.

Interactive

Part 1 Directions:

Your family is planning a dinner party. Here are the details:
- Pretend that four people live at your house (your mom, dad, sister, and you).
- Aunt Sue, Uncle John, and their six children (Jamal, Kevin, Carl, Annie, Stephanie, and Maxine) are coming for dinner.
- Uncle Kenny is coming too. He is bringing his wife (Aunt Jenny) and four kids (Earl, Charles, Jasmine, and Justine).
Mom has six square folding tables she can use, but you don't have to use all of them. (Each folding table seats four, one on each side.) You can put two or more of the folding tables together to form a rectangle if you like.
You want to make sure that the family feast is a success. Your job is to decide on a seating arrangement that is best for your family and guests. Mom has the following rules:
- There should be no empty seats.
- There must be at least one grown- up at each table.
Use the interactive whiteboard space below to plan your arrangement. Label each place to show who will be sitting there. The brown squares represent the tables; the blue circles represent the chairs.

Part 2 Directions:

In your notebook, write a few sentences to describe what happened to the perimeter as tables were pushed together.
Then explain why the arrangement you chose is the best possible arrangement.

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Georgia Department of Education, Math