4

THE KOALA BEAR

Problem Solving

Skill: Problem solving using pictures

Number of people: One or small group

Directions:

Koala Bear Problem

A sleepy koala bear wants to climb to the top of a fruit tree that is 10 meters tall. Each day the bear climbs up 5 meters but at night, while asleep, slides back 4 meters. At this rate how many days will it take the bear to reach the top of the tree.

Draw a picture to help you solve the problem. Use scrap paper or graph paper.

******Questions for understanding:

How tall is the tree?

How far did the bear climb during the day?

How far did the bear slip back at night?

What does reach the top mean?

******Hints for solving

The answer is not ten days. Use your picture to see why.

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