SEKOLAH MENENGAH KEBANGSAAN (P)

AIR PANAS

ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS

PROJECT WORK 1/2010

Title: The Gate of Wisdom

Name: Choon Yoke Yee

Class: 5 Science 1

Teacher: Puan Lee Wei Ping

 PREFACE

I have done many researches throughout the internet and discussing with a friend who

have helped me a lot in completing this project. Through the completion of this project, I

have learned many skills and techniques. This project really helps me to understand more

about the uses of integration in our daily life. This project also helped expose the

techniques of application of additional mathematics in real life situations.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, I want to express my utmost gratitude to everyone that has contributed to the

success of this project. Though it’s kind of hard for me to accomplish the project alone

but with the help and never-ending supports from these people;

• my parents,

• my additional mathematics teacher, Puan Lee Wei Ping

• my friends

• and those that have contributed in this project,

I managed to get this project done in just a few days.

Thank you.

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 OBJECTIVES
The aims of carrying out this project work are:

(i) to apply and adapt a variety of problem-solving strategies to solve problems;

(ii) to improve thinking skills;

(iii) to promote effective mathematical communication;

(iv) to develop mathematical knowledge through problem solving in a way that increases

students interest and confidence;

(v) to use the language of mathematics to express mathematical ideas precisely;

(vi) to provide learning environment that stimulates and enhances effective learning;

(vii)to develop positive attitude towards mathematics

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 CONTENT
Title page
Preface 1
Acknowledgement 2
Objectives 3
Introduction 4-8
Part a(i) 10-11
Part a(ii) 12-13
Part a (iii) 14-15
Part b 16
Further Exploration 17-24
Conclusion 25
Reflection 26
References 27
 INTRODUCTION

In this 21st century, everyone can afford to install a worthiness gate for their house.
However, some poor people may not afford to buy an expensive gate. In this case, the
theories of additional mathematics are used. For example, the concept of quadratic
function applied on a parabolic-shaped gate, and also integration which can further
deduce the functions based on the data on the length of the structure and to calculate the
volume. Before I continue, first, I would like to give some brief explanations about the
arch.

Arch

A masonry arch

An arch is a structure that spans a space while supporting weight (e.g. a doorway in a
stone wall). Arches appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamian brick
architecture and their systematic use started with the Ancient Romans who were the first
to apply the technique to a wide range of structures.

The semicircular arch was followed in Europe by the pointed Gothic arch or ogive whose
centreline more closely followed the forces of compression and which was therefore

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stronger. The semicircular arch can be flattened to make an elliptical arch as in the Ponte
Santa Trinita. The parabolic and catenary arches are now known to be the theoretically
strongest forms. Parabolic arches were introduced in construction by the Spanish
architect Antoni Gaudí, who admired the structural system of Gothic style, but for the
buttresses, which he termed “architectural crutches”. The catenary and parabolic arches
carry all horizontal thrust to the foundation and so do not need additional elements.

The horseshoe arch is based on the semicircular arch, but its lower ends are extended
further round the circle until they start to converge. The first examples known are carved
into rock in India in the first century AD, while the first known built horseshoe arches are
known from Aksum (modern day Ethiopia and Eritrea) from around the 3rd–4th century,
around the same time as the earliest contemporary examples in Syria, suggesting either an
Aksumite or Syrian origin for the type of arch.

The segmental arch was first built by the Chinese who realized that an arch in a bridge
did not have to be a semicircle. The arch has many usages, for example, in constructions.

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Construction
An arch requires all of its elements to hold it together, raising the question of how an arch
is constructed.

The gallery shows arch forms displayed in roughly the order in which they were
developed.

Triangular arch
Segmental arch or arch
Round arch or Semi- Unequal round arch or
that is less than a
circular arch Rampant round arch
semicircle

Shouldered flat arch -see

Equilateral pointed also jack arch Three-foiled cusped
Lancet arch
arch arch

Tudor arch Catenary or Parabolic

Ogee arch Reverse ogee arch
arch

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 Besides that, the parabolic shaped gate also used the concept of quadratic
functions.

Introduction to quadratic functions:

Polynomial functions are simply the functions with x as an input variable, made up of
several terms, each term is made up of two factors, the first being a real number
coefficient, and the second being x raised to some non-negative integer power. In the
term Quadratic function the word quadratic comes from a Latin word quadratum. A term
like x2 is called a square in Algebra, as it represents the area of a square with side x.
Representation of quadratic functions
As discussed above a quadratic function is a polynomial function of maximum exponent
of x as 2.
A standard form of a quadratic function is given below:
f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
where, a,b,c are real numbers.
and a ≠ 0, If a = 0 then the highest exponent of x in the function becomes 1 and the
function hence is no more a quadratic function.
The other forms by which a quadratic function cab ne represented are:
1. Factored form
f(x) = a(x - x1)(x - x2) , where a ≠ 0
2. Vertex form
The graph of a quadratic function, irrespective of the format, is always a parabola.
f(x) = a(x - h)2 + k , where (h , k) are coordinates of the vertex of the parabola
represented by the quadratic function

Roots of a quadratic function

The roots of a quadratic function f(x) are represented by the values of x for which f(x) = 0
There will always be two roots of a quadratic function. To learn about the roots, we will
first discuss about a term Discriminant.

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It is represented by ' '.
Value of = b2 - 4ac
Roots are represented by,

Here we can see that,

When,
0 , roots are real
< 0 , roots are complex
= 0 , roots are real and equal and represented by -b/2a
Moreover
Sum of the roots = -b/a
Product of the roots= c/a
The application of quadratic equations also finds its use in the structure of a suspension
bridge.

The figure shows the Golden Gate bridge in San Fransisco in the United States.
The shape of each suspension cable can be approximated by using either of the quadratic
equations.

where x and y are measured in meters.

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The diagram below shows the gate of an art gallery. A concrete structure is built at the
upper part of the gate and the words 'ART GALLERY' is written on it. The top of the
concrete structure is flat whereas the bottom is parabolic in shape. The concrete structure
is supported by two vertical pillars at both ends.

The distance between the two pillars is 4 metres and the height of the pillar is 5 metres.
The height of the concrete structure is 1 metre. The shortest distance from point A of the
concrete structure to point B, that is the highest point on the parabolic shape, is 0.5
metres.

(a) The parabolic shape of the concrete structure can be represented by various
functions depending on the point of reference. Based on different points of
reference, obtain at least three different functions which can be used to represent the
curve of this concrete structure. In this part of question, I will use the principles of
quadratic functions with three different maximum point to obtain three different
functions.

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a(і) First Reference Point
y

(2, 4.5)

x
Firstly, let the centre of the concrete structure be the curve y.

Then, the reference point is, (2, 4.5) as the maximum point and intersect at the y-axis,

where y-coordinate=4 and x-coordinate=0, (0, 4)

Because of the parabolic shape of this structure, then the function can be determined and

calculated by using principle of quadratic function.

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 a(і) First Function

.
(2, 4.5)

According to the quadratic function formula with the maximum or minimum point (b,c),
the general equation is

Let y= a (x−2)²+4.5

At the point ( 0, 4)

4= a (0−2)²+4.5
4−4.5= a (4)
4a = −0.5
a = − 0.125
−0.125,
Next, with the value of maximum point, (2, 4.5) and the value of a=

these values can be substituted into the equation,

Therefore, the function can be represented by У= −0.125(χ−2)² + 4.5

a(іі) Second Reference Point

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 y

(2, 0.5)

0 x

Firstly, let the centre of the concrete structure be the curve y.

Then, the reference point is, (2, 0.5) as the maximum point and pass through the origin,

(0, 0)

Because of the parabolic shape of this structure, then the function can be determined and

calculated by using principle of quadratic function.

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a(іi) Second Function
 y

.
(2, 0.5)

According to the quadratic function formula with the maximum or minimum point (b,c),
the general equation is

Let y= a (x−2)² + 0.5

At the point ( 0, 0)

0= a (0−2)²+0.5
−0.5= a (4)
4a = −0.5
a = − 0.125
Next, with the value of maximum point, (2, 0.5) and the value of−0.125,
a=

these values can be substituted into the equation,

Therefore, the function can be represented by У= −0.125 (χ−2)² + 0.5

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a(іii) Third Reference Point
 y

x
0

(2, -0.5)

Firstly, let the centre of the concrete structure be the curve y.

Then, the reference point is, (0, 0) as the maximum point and pass through the point

(2,-0.5)

Because of the parabolic shape of this structure, then the function can be determined and

calculated by using principle of quadratic function.

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a(iii) Third Function
 y

0
x

. (2, −0.5)

According to the quadratic function formula with the maximum or minimum point (b,c),
the general equation is

Since the minimum point is (0, 0),

Therefore y= a x²
At the point ( 2, −0.5 )

−0.5= a (2)²
−0.5= a (4)
4a = −0.5
a = − 0.125
Next, substitute the value of a into the equation y= a x,
Therefore, the function can be represented by У= −0.125 χ²
(b) The front surface of this concrete structure will be painted before the words 'ART
GALLERY' is written on it. Find the area 15to be painted.
I will solve this question by using the integration technique.
By referring to the second reference point:

y y

(2, 0.5)
y= −0.125 (x−2)² + 0.5

0 x P

x
0
4

Let the area to be painted = area of grey region

= Area of rectangle − Area P (blue region)
4

= 0 ∫ [1- [−0.125 (x−2)² + 0.5] ] dx

4
= ∫ [1+0.125 (x−2)² -0.5] dx
0
4
= ∫ [0.5 + 0.125 (x−2)² ] dx
0
∫ k dx = kx + c

[
= 0.5x +0.125 (x−2)² + ¹
(2+1)(1) ]4

0 ∫ (ax+b)²dx= (ax+b)ⁿ ¹ + c
+
(n+1)(a)

[
= 0.5x + 0.125 (x-2)³
3 ] 4

[
= 0.5(4) +0.125 (4-2)³ ─
3 ] [0.5(0) + 0.125
3
(0-2)³
]
= [ 2+ 1 ] ─ [ - 1 ]
3 3
=2+1+1
3 3
= 8 m²
3
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FURTHER EXPLORATION
(a) You are given four different shapes of concrete structures as shown in the diagrams
below. All the structures have the same thickness of 40 cm and are symmetrical.

(i) Given that the cost to construct 1 cubic metre of concrete is RM840.00, determine
which structure will cost the minimum to construct.

Idea: The Volume of a prism equals

the cross sectional area of the
prism times its height
V= Cross Sectional area x height

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Part a(i) Structure 1
 4m

1m

0.4m (40cm= 40/100m)

From the previous part, we know that:

Area of cross section= Area of painted surface
= 8/3 m²
We can say that,
the volume of the structure1 = (area of cross section) x (thickness)
= ( 8 x 0.4 ) m³
3

= 16 m³
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Given that 1m³ → RM840

16 m³→ 16 x RM840 = RM896
15 15

Thus, the cost to construct structure 1 is RM896

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Part a(i) Structure2
 0.5m

0.4m

4m
1m

Volume of structure 2 = Area of cross section × Height

= [4(1) − ½(0.5)(4) ] × (0.4)

= (4 − 1) × 0.4
= 3 × 0.4
= 1.2 m³

Given that 1m³ → RM840

1.2 m³→ 1.2 x RM840 = RM1008

Thus, the cost to construct structure 2 is RM1008.

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Part a(i) Structure 3
 0.5m

0.4m

1m

4m

1m

Volume of structure 3 = Area of cross section × Height

= [(4)(1) − ½(1+4)(0.5)] × 0.4

= (4−1.25) × 0.4
= 1.1 m³

Given that 1m³ → RM840

1.1 m³→ 1.1 x RM840 = RM924

Thus, the cost to construct structure 3 is RM924.

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Part a(i) Structure 4
 0.5m

0.4m

2m

4m

1m

Volume of structure 3 = Area of cross section × Height

= [(4)(1) − ½(2+4)(0.5)] × 0.4

= (4−1.5) × 0.4
= 1 m³

Given that 1m³ → RM840

Thus, the cost to construct structure 4 is RM840.

Structure Cost
1 896
2 1008 ►Hence, the structure with the
3 924 minimum cost is structure 4

4 840

Part a(ii)
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(ii) As the president of the Arts Club, you are given the opportunity to decide on the
shape of the gate to be constructed. Which shape would you choose? Explain and
elaborate on your reasons for choosing the shape.

As the president of the Arts Club, I will choose the shape of structure 1 to construct the
gate. The fist and foremost reason is because the spending on this project is affordable by
club. Besides that, Structure 1 also give better support to the gate because of its parabolic
shape.

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Part (b)
(b) The following questions refer to the concrete structure in the diagram below. If the
value of k increases with a common difference of 0.25 m;
(i) complete Table 1 by finding the values of k and the corresponding areas of the
concrete structure to be painted.
(ii) observe the values of the area to be painted from Table 1. Do you see any pattern?
Discuss.

Area to be painted= area of rectangle − area of trapezium

= 4(1) − ½(k+4)(0.5)
= 4 − 0.25k − 1

κ (cm) Area to be painted(m²)

0 3 − 0.25 (0)=3
0.25 3 − 0.25 (0.25)=2.9375
0.50 3 − 0.25 (0.50)=2.875
0.75 3 − 0.25 (0.75)=2.8125
1.00 3 − 0.25 (1.00)=2.75
1.25 3 − 0.25 (1.25)=2.6875
1.50 3 − 0.25 (1.50)=2.625
1.75 3 − 0.25 (1.75)=2.5625
2.00 3 − 0.25 (2.00)=2.5

b(ii) 23
From the values of the area to be painted from Table 1, I notice that:
There is a pattern in the area to be painted
The area to be painted decreases as thek increases 0.25m and form a series of numbers:

3, 2.9375, 2.875, 2.8125, 2.75, 2.6875, 2.625, 2.5625, 2.5

We can see that the difference between each term and the next term is the same.
2.9375 − 3 = −0.0625
2.875 − 2.9375 = −0.0625
2.8125 − 2.875 = −0.0625
2.75 − 2.8125 = −0.0625
2.6827 − 2.75 = −0.0625
2.625 − 2.6827 = −0.0625
2.5625 − 2.625 = −0.0625
2.5 − 2.5625 = −0.0625
 We can deduce that the area to be painted also forms an arithmetic progression with
a common difference of −0.0625
In conclusion, when k increases 0.25m, the area to be painted decreased by 0.0625m²

(c) Express the area of the concrete structure to be painted in terms of k. Find the area a k
approaches the value of 4 and predict the shape of the concrete structure.

The area of the concrete structure to be painted = 3 − 0.25 k

k = 4,
Area of the concrete structure to be painted = 3 − 0.25(4)
= 2 m²
The shape of the concrete will be a rectangle with length 4m and breadth 0.5m, which
may look like this:

0.5m

4m
CONCLUSION
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 A gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls, or a moderately sized
opening in a fence. Gates may prevent or control entry or exit, or they may be merely
decorative. Other terms for gate include yett and port.

Larger gates can be used for a whole building, such as a castle or fortified town,
or the actual doors that block entry through the gatehouse. Other than that, selection of
gate also depends on beautifying or some religious believe in fengshui which brings luck
in life.

As I doing this project, I notice that quadratic function and integration can be so
close in our daily life. There are many shape of gate outside there. Different shapes of the
gate have different cost. From quadratic function and integration, we can know area of
the gate. From the area we can get volume of the gate. As the result, we can know cost of
the gate by times volume with RM840 (price for 1m³)

After we know concept of quadratic function and integration, we can apply it in

our life. In order to meet the budget or saving money, we can capable to decide on which
shape or design more favorable and reasonable.

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REFLECTION
While conducting this project, a lot of information that I found. I have learnt how to build
a concrete gate structure with good quality and proper price.

Apart from that, this project encourages the student to work together and share
their knowledge. It is also encourage student to gather information from the internet,
improve thinking skills and promote effective mathematical communication.

Last but not least, I proposed this project should be continue because it brings a lot of
moral values to the student and also test the student’s understanding in Additional
Mathematics.

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REFERENCES
• http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/We-Can-Do-Maths/122938361050773?ref=ts

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch

• http://www.scribd.com/ADD-MATHS-PROJECT-WORK-1-2010/d/33228907

• http://forum.myhometuition.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5

• Additional Mathematics Text Book Form 5

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