Activity: Design a Deck

Alex wants to build a deck for the house.

It should be shaped about like this:

(Choose a different size if you want, maybe to fit a place outside your home?)

Alex can buy some beautiful hardwood, but it is only available in the following sizes:

• Width: 90 mm
• Lengths: 3.0 m, 3.6 m, 4.2 m, 4.8 m, 6.0 m

Please tell Alex how many of each length he will need.

Note: Be Practical! Think about actually using real boards to make this deck.

• Alex can cut the boards into smaller lengths, but not into smaller widths.
• Tell Alex if the shape he wants should be changed to fit the boards (but not by too much or it won't fit the house!)
• You should order extra boards in case some are bad quality, or Alex makes a mistake when cutting.

Fill out how many of each length are needed:

• 3.0 m:
• 3.6 m:
• 4.2 m:
• 4.8 m:
• 6.0 m:

Extension

Another practical thing: you don't want cuts to line up, so having two boards of 3.0m exactly next to each other is bad.

Also try for a different size of deck ... maybe a new and interesting shape?