IM 6.1.19 Lesson: Designing a Tent
Have you ever been camping?
You might know that sleeping bags are all about the same size, but tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Your task is to design a tent to accommodate up to four people, and estimate the amount of fabric needed to make your tent. Your design and estimate must be based on the information given and have mathematical justification.
First, look at these examples of tents, the average specifications of a camping tent, and standard sleeping bag measurements. Think and talk to a partner about:
Tent Styles
Tent Height Specifications
Sleeping Bag Measurements
Create and sketch your tent design by interacting with the controls on the left side of the applet. The tent must include a floor.
What decisions were important when choosing your tent design?
How much fabric do you estimate will be necessary to make your tent? Show your reasoning and provide mathematical justification.
Explain your tent design and fabric estimate to your partner or partners. Be sure to explain why you chose this design and how you found your fabric estimate.
Compare the estimated fabric necessary for each tent in your group. Discuss the following questions:
Which tent design used the least fabric? Why?
Which tent design used the most fabric? Why?
Which change in design most impacted the amount of fabric needed for the tent? Why?