GROUP

 

Group Discussion Worksheet: The Cable Support & Flagpole Project

Case Study Scenario

The Student Council of Nusantara Middle School is setting up for an outdoor festival in the school yard. To support the main stage display, they need to secure two main flagpoles that stand next to each other.

• Pole A is 12 meters tall.
• Pole B is 20 meters tall.
• The ground distance between the bases of the two poles is 15 meters.

To prevent the poles from swaying in the wind, the team must stretch a tight steel cable directly from the top of Pole A to the top of Pole B.

Discussion Questions & Tasks

1. Create a Geometric Sketch

Draw a diagram showing the two poles, the ground distance, and the steel cable. Convert your drawing into a 2D geometric shape containing a right-angled triangle.

2. Calculate Cable Length

Using the Pythagorean theorem, calculate the exact minimum length of steel cable needed to connect the top of Pole A to the top of Pole B.

3. Budget Analysis (Problem Solving)
• The steel cable costs $2 per meter.
• The team has a budget of $35. Is this budget enough to purchase the required length of cable? Show your calculations and explain why or why not.
4. Critical Thinking Challenge

If Pole A is moved further away so that the distance between the bases becomes 24 meters, will the team need a longer or shorter cable? Prove your answer with a quick calculation.

Group Discussion Worksheet: The SAR Drone Rescue Mission

Case Study Scenario

A Search and Rescue (SAR) team is operating a drone to deliver emergency medical supplies to a flood relief shelter.

• The drone launches from Base Camp (Point O).
• First, the drone flies due East for 12 km to reach Checkpoint A.
• To avoid a storm ahead, the drone turns and flies due North for 9 km to reach Shelter B.

After delivering the supplies, the drone's battery is at 15%. The drone features an emergency Return-to-Home system, which makes it fly straight back to Base Camp using the shortest direct path.

Discussion Questions & Tasks

1. Create a Navigation Diagram

Draw a map showing the drone's flight path from Base Camp (Point O)  Checkpoint A  Shelter B  direct return to Base Camp (Point O). What geometric shape is formed by this flight path?

2. Calculate Return Distance

Using the Pythagorean theorem, calculate the exact direct distance (straight line) from Shelter B back to Base Camp.

3. Battery Capacity Analysis (Problem Solving)
• The drone consumes 1% of battery power for every 1 km flown.
• With 15% battery remaining at Shelter B, will the drone make it back to Base Camp without running out of power? Explain your reasoning with calculations.
4. Critical Thinking Challenge

Compare the total distance flown during the outbound leg (Base Camp  Checkpoint A  Shelter B) with the return leg (Shelter B  Base Camp). How many kilometers does the drone save by flying straight back?