Math Models and Geometry

We are surrounded by all sorts of geometry. Architects use geometry to design buildings. Artists create vivid images out of colorful geometric shapes. Street signs, automobiles, and product packaging all take advantage of geometric properties. In this chapter, we will begin by considering a formal approach to solving problems and use it to solve a variety of common problems, including making decisions about money. Then we will explore geometry and relate it to everyday situations, using the problem-solving strategy we develop.

Sections

• Use a Problem Solving Strategy — approaching word problems with a positive attitude, using a problem-solving strategy for word problems, and solving number problems.
• Solve Money Applications — solving coin word problems and applying the problem-solving strategy to more money applications.
• Use Properties of Angles, Triangles, and the Pythagorean Theorem — using the properties of angles, and the properties of triangles, and using the Pythagorean Theorem.
• Use Properties of Rectangles, Triangles, and Trapezoids — using the properties of rectangles, triangles, and trapezoids to find perimeter and area.
• Solve Geometry Applications: Circles and Irregular Figures — using the properties of circles, and finding the area of irregular figures.
• Solve Geometry Applications: Volume and Surface Area — finding the volume and surface area of rectangular solids, spheres, cylinders, and cones, and finding the volume of composite solids.
• Solve a Formula for a Specific Variable — solving a formula for a specific variable in the categories of geometry, distance-rate-time, and temperature.

This chapter overview is adapted from Prealgebra 2e, Chapter 9 Introduction by Lynn Marecek, MaryAnne Anthony-Smith, and Andrea Honeycutt Mathis, © OpenStax, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Access the original for free at openstax.org. Changes: condensed the chapter introduction and recast the chapter outline as a section list.