document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=722866>Question 722866</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I am trying to assist my son who has a C grade in Ontario Canada Grade 6 Math :(<BR>\n" );
document.write( "We were doing just fine until we came across this question and my Googling has gotten me no where.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The question is to determine the length and width of a square with an area of 36 square cm.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The answer is 6 cm each side but how do I teach him a formula to help him?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The same will of course end applying to determining formulas for rectangles, parallelograms and triangles.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Any research so far has the same stuff.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "They teach how to determine the area with one unknown or both sides known but not with both unknown.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I feel like a dummy for not being able to help him.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I am 54 years old and I cannot figure this?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Sad it is so I beseech your assistance.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "he is a good lad and has shown great marks before.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I fear I have been negligent in not following his progress previously.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "He is keen to learn and is excited that I am helping.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "He knows I am looking for an answer and is patient.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I thank you for taking the time to help us.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Sincerely<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Wm. Makort </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #442925 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=DrBeeee><B>DrBeeee(684)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-11.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=DrBeeee><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=442925\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hello neighbor. My seventh grade advanced math students were in your son's seat last year, so I may be able to help. Let's get right to the issue.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "We are calculating the area of a rectangle. Draw a rectangle on the paper - remember all corners are \"right\" angles (90 degrees), just like the wall. A rectangle has two sets of equal sides, length and width.  Now label one side l for length and the other side w for width.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The area is usually designated by the letter A. The formula for the area of a rectangle is<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(1) A = l*w, where * means multiply the variable,l, times the variable, w.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now look at (1). In order to get area, A, we need l and w. This is ALWAYS true, as you found online. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "The unique characteristic of a square is the all sides are EQUAL, so l = w. Then we have, for a square with equal sides, s<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(2) A = l*w or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(3) A = s*s<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So you see, the only reason you need one side for a square is because the length and width are the same number! The square is a special case of a rectangle.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now to get your son to solve (3) when the area is 36 sqcm, ask him \"what number when multiplied by itself equals 36?\"<BR>\n" );
document.write( "You should have<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(4) s*s = 36 or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(5) 6*6 = 36 or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(6) s = 6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "You may want to give your son the MSM drill that I give my students to learn all the squares of the counting numbers, 1 to 25. Most know up to 12 from previous grades, but I find it advantageous to know up to 25. MSM means Mad Square Minute.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "While we're at it, you may want the area of figures. I recommend Wikipedia.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "For area you always multiply two numbers, thus square cm from cm*cm.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Square:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = s*s<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Rectangle:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = l*w<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Parallelogram:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = b*h, where b is length of the base and h is the perpendicular distance between b and its parallel.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Trapezoid:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = (1/2)*(b1 + b2)*h, where b1 and b2 are the lengths otf thee parallel sides and h is the perpendicular distance beteen them.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Rhombus:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = b*h, see parallelogram<BR>\n" );
document.write( "PS Live near Buffalo, NY\r<BR>\n" );
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