Algebra Assessment: Real-Life Application Name:

Topics: Polynomial Factors & Products

Part A:
Sara is planting a garden for her father this spring. Sara is following the directions her father left her to
make the garden, but he did not give her all the information.

Part A: The map has actual measurements given in feet. She knows that the total width of field is 35 ft
and the length is 50 ft. She also knows:

 The area of the carrot field is 187 ft2

 The potato field has a total area of 231 ft2 Algebra (10-3)
General Outcome: Develop algebraic
reasoning.
 Using the partial measurements given, determine the area of each Specific Outcome 1
of the fields. Make sure you are using the correct units.
Solve problems that require the
manipulation and application of
 Sara would like to put a fence around the corn field. For this formulas related to area and perimeter.
purpose, she must determine the perimeter of the corn field.

 Verify that the area of each field adds up to the total area.

 From previous years, Sara knows that she can grow 0.8 pumpkins /ft2. She also knows that each
pumpkin can sell for between $4 and $5 each, depending on the size. If Sara grows a full crop
of pumpkins and she can sell all of them at the market, determine the minimum and maximum
money she could make.
Table for Part A: Show your work in the box and circle your final answers

Dimensions Area Perimeter

Garden Crop
ft x ft ft2 ft

Carrots

Pumpkins

Corn

Beans

Potatoes

Total
Part B:
Sara’s father wants her to build a second garden in an another location, but the second garden
will be much bigger. However, Sara has a problem; her father did not measure the garden in feet.
He used an unit of measure called a Surveyor’s Chain. The directions he has for Sara are in terms
of x, which is the length of one chain.

 Sara has a list of information she must use. You must help Sara Algebra & Number (10C)
General Outcome: Develop
label her drawing. algebraic reasoning and number
sense.
 The length of a Chain is represented by x
Specific Outcome 4
Demonstrate an understanding of the
 The total width of the field is 2x + 8 (two chains plus 8 feet) multiplication of polynomial
expressions (limited to monomials,
binomials and trinomials), concretely,
 The total length of the field is 3x + 2 pictorially and symbolically.

 The area of the carrot field is x2 – 36 Specific Outcome 5

Demonstrate an understanding of
common factors and trinomial
 The potato field has a total area of x2 + 2x – 48 factoring, concretely, pictorially and
symbolically.
 Using the information given, determine the dimensions of each
field.
- Make a table with your dimensions or place it on the diagram directly showing all work.

 Verify that the sum of all the field areas equals to the total area of the entire field.

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Work Space for Part B: Read the Rubric to earn full marks on the assessment
 Criteria D: Real-Life Application:
Level Level descriptor
The student is able to:
 identify some of the elements of the authentic
real-life situation
 apply mathematical strategies to find a solution
to the authentic, with limited success.
1–2
The student is able to:
 identify the relevant elements of the authentic
real-life situation
 select, with some success, adequate
mathematical strategies to
model the authentic real-life situation
3–4  apply mathematical strategies to reach a
solution to the authentic real-life situation
 discuss whether the solution makes sense in the
context of the authentic real-life situation.
The student is able to:
 identify the relevant elements of the authentic
real-life situation
 select adequate mathematical strategies to
model the authentic real-life situation
 apply the selected mathematical strategies to
reach a valid solution to the authentic real-life
situation
5–6
 explain the degree of accuracy of the solution
 explain whether the solution makes sense in the
context of the authentic real-life situation.
The student is able to:
 identify the relevant elements of the authentic
real-life situation
 select appropriate mathematical strategies to
model the authentic
real-life situation
7–8  apply the selected mathematical strategies to
reach a correct solution to the authentic real-life
situation
 justify the degree of accuracy of the solution
 justify whether the solution makes sense in the
context of the authentic real-life situation.
Task Specific
I can:
 label the dimensions of the large garden.
 label the dimensions of the carrot and potatoes
gardens.
 label the dimensions of each garden.
 errors in calculations or reasoning may be
evident.
 Teacher assistance is required
I can:
 accurately determine all dimensions of each
garden space.
 determine the area of each garden space.
 Verify that the area of each small garden adds
up to the area of the total space.
 determine the perimeter of the carrot garden
space.
 determine the range of income from pumpkin
sales.
 Very minor teacher assistance required.
I can:
 complete all elements of Part A correctly.
 label the dimensions of the large garden using
polynomial expressions. (on the drawing)
 label the dimensions of the carrots and potatoes
gardens using polynomial expressions. (on the
drawing)
 label the dimensions of the all gardens using
polynomial expressions. (on the drawing)
 determine the area of each garden.
 Very minor errors in calculation or
reasoning are evident, but do not detract
from the quality of student’s work.
I can:
 complete all elements of Part A.
 accurately determine the area of each garden
using polynomial expressions.
 verify that the area of each garden sums to the
total area using polynomial expressions.
 Work is generally error-free. Minor errors
do not detract from overall quality of the
work.