Use mathematical problem-solving strategies to complete an assigned task
Introduction
Are you ready to join a team of animal experts? As part of your application to be the zoo’s new coordinator, you must complete several challenging tasks. You’ll make decisions about what animals to purchase for the zoo based on financial information provided to you. You’ll gather specific data about the animals you choose, including their weight and expected lifespan. Finally, you’ll present your findings to the hiring committee. So pack up your gear and don’t forget your algebra tool kit. This adventure is going to be wild!
The Task
As you begin to go through the hiring process, we have briefly described each challenge that lies before you. The Process section has a detailed description of each challenge. The Guidance section has some helpful hints. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Zoo Challenge 1:
First, read a letter from the zoo Animals Inc. The letter is found in the Process section. Then, create a spreadsheet according to the request of the zoo.
Zoo Challenge 2:
Next, research the average weight, lifespan, and gestation, and/or incubation period of each animal in your newly created zoo.
Zoo Challenge 3:
Last, create a presentation that explains why you chose each particular animal for the new zoo. You will give this presentation to your classmates, the board members of Animals Inc.
The Process
Below is a detailed description of each challenge.
Zoo Challenge 1:
For your first challenge, Animals Inc. wants you to choose the animals you think should be in their zoo. First, you need to read the letter Animals Inc. sent to you. Within this letter, you will find all of the information you will need to construct your zoo.
Dear Applicant,
Hello. First, we would like to thank you for applying for the Zoo Coordinator position at Animals Inc. As part of your application process, we have created a challenge that we want you to tackle. Below is a description of the task.
Animals Inc. has $1,000,000 to purchase animals for their new zoo. The animals you are allowed to purchase and their prices are listed below. You must be within $1,000 of the $1,000,000, and you must purchase at least 10 different animals (this means that you have between $999,000 and $1,001,000 to spend on 10 animals). When purchasing an animal keep in mind the following:
the gender of the animal (do you want all males, all females, or an even balance?);
the number of each type of animal you would like to purchase; and
your reasoning for purchasing that animal.
Animal
Price
Animal
Price
Alligator
$14,000
Leopard
$30,000
Bearded Dragon
$9,550
Lion
$20,000
Boa Constrictor
$1,750
Manatee
$17,500
Camel
$17,000
Monkey
$5,000
Cheetah
$23,500
Panda Bear
$50,000
Crane
$8,550
Polar Bear
$32,500
Crocodile
$14,000
Pronghorn
$6,000
Elephant
$25,000
Python
$1,500
Emu
$11,500
Rabbit
$25
Giraffe
$18,500
Rhinoceros
$30,000
Goat
$125
Sea Lion
$22,500
Goose
$50
Snapping Turtle
$375
Grizzly Bear
$15,000
Tiger
$27,500
Guanaco
$6,550
Tortoise
$850
Hippopotamus
$25,000
Yak
$3,500
Iguana
$750
Zebra
$15,000
Once you have chosen your animals, create a spreadsheet of your purchases.
Next, write an expression for each type of animal purchased that represents the total amount of dollars spent purchasing that animal.
Good luck, be creative, but most of all, have fun!
With Sincere Gratitude,
Animals Inc. Hiring Staff
Zoo Challenge 2:
Once you have chosen the animals you want to purchase for your zoo, you will need to:
a. Use the Internet to research the average weight, the average lifespan, and the average gestation and/or incubation period for each chosen animal.
b. Create one chart that displays all of your collected data. Your chart should include the following:
→the name of each animal;
→the average weight of each animal;
→the average lifespan of each animal; and
→the average gestation and/or incubation period of each animal.
c. Create a graph for the average weight, the average life span, and the average gestation and/or incubation period. You will have a total of 3 graphs. You must have a box-and-whisker plot and a bar graph. Choose a different graph for the remaining set of data.
Upon completing your research, answer the following questions:
a. What is the mean, median, and mode of the amount spent to purchase each animal?
b. What is the mean, median, and mode for the average weight of the animals purchased?
c. What is the mean, median, and mode for the average lifespan of the animals purchased?
d. What is the mean, median, and mode for the average gestation period?
