Folded measurements

Folded measurements

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task requires find the dimensions of pieces of paper when they are folded.

shape 1                               shape 2                  shape 3  
 
Jason took a square piece of paper (shape 1). He folded it in half to get shape 2 and in half again to get shape 3.
 
a) What are the measurements of the piece of unfolded paper Jason started with (shape 1)?
 
  (A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)		 40 cm × 20 cm
30 cm × 30 cm
40 cm × 40 cm
60 cm × 40 cm
None of these. It measures __________cm × __________cm.
 
b) If Jason folded the smallest piece of paper (shape 3) in half again, what would its measurements be?
 
  (A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)		 10 cm × 10 cm
15 cm × 15 cm
15 cm × 10 cm
20 cm × 10 cm
None of these. It measures __________cm × __________cm.
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Geometry and Measurement, Measurement
Keywords: 
length, rectangles, squares
Description of task: 
Students select the measurements of a piece of paper as it is folded multiple times.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Measurement sense, sets 6-7
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (10/1997)
a) C easy
b) D [Accept E, 10 × 20.] moderate
Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Student response Likely reason
a) E – 80 × 80 Doubles both dimensions on each fold instead of doubling just one.
b) A – 10 × 10 Halves both dimensions on folding instead of halving just one.