Garden fence

You want to fence in space for a garden with 120 feet of fencing. What shape should your garden be to make it as large as possible?

Approaches

How do you measure "largeness?"

Usually by perimeter or area. Which in this case? (They all have the same perimeter.)

guess and check

How do you know you've found the best?

tables

assumption: rectangular

respond: Don't challenge unless they can deal with other figures.

assumption: not necessarily rectangular

respond: Praise for creative thinking

semicircle

respond: Why?

Your experience

Have you used this problem with a class and seen approaches other than(or more specific than) those mentioned above? Or do you have other comments or criticisms or stories? If so, please tell us!

Last updated 30 November, 2004