Lesson 11-5 Problem-Solving Investigation

Solve a Simpler Problem

The diagram below shows the shape of a new garden that Sally is creating in her backyard.  Sally needs to find the area of the garden in order to determine how much mulch to order.  Find the area of the garden.

UNDERSTAND	You know that the garden is made up of a rectangle that measures 8 feet by 5 feet and 2 half circles that each have a radius of 2.5 feet.  Together the circle pieces make up a whole circle with radius 2.5 feet and diameter 5 feet.	
PLAN	Find the areas of the rectangle and the circle and then add.	
SOLVE	area of rectangle:                 area of circle:
A = lw                                  A = r2
A = (8)(5) or 40                   A = (2.5)2 or 19.625

The total area of the garden is 40 + 19.625 or 59.625 square feet. 	
CHECK	Use estimation to check.