The purpose of this multi-level task is to engage students in using grid references as co-ordinates on a plane along with scales and bearings to solve a problem.
This activity assumes the students have experience in the following areas:
The problem is sufficiently open ended to allow the students freedom of choice in their approach. It may be scaffolded with guidance that leads to a solution, and/or the students might be given the opportunity to solve the problem independently.
The example responses at the end of the resource give an indication of the kind of response to expect from students who approach the problem in particular ways.
Task: A group of outdoors enthusiasts are planning to walk the Motatapu track.
The track is clearly marked on the Department of Conservation guide, but does not appear on the topographical map. They have been advised that, while the terrain is relatively open, the track is not clearly marked between Fern Burn Hut and Highland Creek Hut.
Mark the route that follows these bearings, on the map and work out how much further the group will have to walk than is visible on the map, to get to the second hut.
The following prompts illustrate how this activity can be structured around the phases of the Mathematics Investigation Cycle.
Introduce the problem. Allow students time to read it and discuss in pairs or small groups.
Discuss ideas about how to solve the problem. Emphasise that, in the planning phase, you want students to say how they would solve the problem, not to actually solve it.
Allow students time to work through their strategy and find a solution to the problem.
Allow students time to check their answers and then either have them pair share with other groups or ask for volunteers to share their solution with the class.
The student measures lengths and angles on a map (guide), calculates the actual distances to scale, and gives a bearing, to describe a route.
Click on the image to enlarge it. Click again to close.
The student works with measurements and calculations of co-ordinates, to solve a problem involving maps, bearings and displacement.
Printed from https://meaningfulmaths.nt.edu.au/mmws/nz/resource/walk-line at 8:53pm on the 26th February 2024