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Ecosystem Emergency!

There’s a math emergency at the Ecosystem Rescue Base!
We need your help!

Join the Rescue Team
Breaking News: A mysterious storm has swept the globe, moving animal species and organisms into ecosystems where they don't belong. We must restore balance to our ecosystems or humanity's survival will be in jeopardy! • Breaking News: A mysterious storm has swept the globe, moving animal species and organisms into ecosystems where they don't belong. We must restore balance to our ecosystems or humanity's survival will be in jeopardy!
NEXT
Get Basic Training Start Adventure

Pre-Quiz Basic Training

Answer the questions to prepare to use math in the rescue mission.

CARGO
15,588.9506 lbs
PLANE
143,279.567 lbs
FUEL
97,641.23 lbs

Get ready to hop into our emergency jet!

The jet has an extremely large fuel tank that enables it to stay in the
air for up to 14 hours without refueling.

NEXT

Great job!

We have enough fuel to take flight.
Let's move to the weight check!

GO

Sorry, you didn't answer correctly. The tank is currently at 65% capacity and the
jet IS able to make the flight. Let's move on to the weight check!

GO

We're sending teams all over the world. Before we take off, choose the ecosystem you would like to help rescue.

Arctic CircleAtlantic Ocean

Your rescue gear is here!

Before we take flight, you will need to make sure that the jet is not too heavy to fly.
The plane must weigh less than 256,520 pounds to safely carry the team.

NEXT

If the fuel weighs 97,641.23 pounds, the plane weighs 143,279.567 pounds, and the cargo weighs
15,588.9506 pounds, what is the aircraft's TOTAL weight to the nearest hundredth pounds?

pounds


The plane must weigh less than 256,520 pounds to safely carry the team.
Will the jet be able to safely fly at its current weight?

YesNo
X
HINT: When adding decimals, align the decimal points (place one on top of another) so the place values match up.
Correct
Incorrect

15.997
0.008
32.5592
15.97
0.008
32.5592
Not sure
how to
start?
Make sure you have aligned the place values correctly and made accurate calculations. See "Not sure how to start?" for more information.
Remember to round your answer to the nearest hundredths place.
Great calculating. Read the second question more closely and go back to the word problem to compare your calculation with the weight limits.
Make sure you have aligned the place values correctly and made accurate calculations. See "Not sure how to start?" for more information.

Great job!

We passed the weight check. Let's fly!

GO

You miscalculated so we have to make an emergency landing at a closer destination.

GO

Report back to base!

Show what you learned and review the skills you used to restore balance to ecosystems.

GO

We have to move fast, so there's no time to completely fill the jet's fuel tank. However, the tank
must be AT LEAST 60% full to make it to the first destination.

NEXT

If the fuel tank's capacity is 520 gallons and it currently holds 338 gallons,
what percentage of fuel is in the tank? Slide the arrow to answer.

0%

The tank must be AT LEAST 60% full to make it to the first destination.
Will the jet be able to make it to the first destination?

YesNo
X
HINT: Set up a fraction and identify which value in the problem represents the whole.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that's not the right percentage. Remember, percentages are expressed as rates out of 100. Did you set up a fraction?
Sorry, that's not the right percentage. Did you represent both the amount of fuel in the tank and the fuel tank's capacity in your fraction?
Check again. You correctly identified the fuel percentage but did not answer the question at the bottom correctly.

Welcome to the Atlantic Ocean!

Crab crisis!

Along with lobsters, blue crabs are one of the most popular dishes in the region, but they
have been displaced. We need to bring crabs back to the Atlantic Ocean, but we must be sure they
are in the right balance to the lobsters in the ecosystem.

NEXT

The equation below represents the required balance of blue crabs and Maine lobsters:

c + 3,122 = 5,009

In the equation, c represents the number of crabs. One rescue team member believes that
8,131 crabs are needed to reestablish balance. Which choice below BEST represents the error
in their thinking and math calculation?

AThey added 5,009 to the left side of the equation instead of subtracting 3,122 from both sides to find c.
BThey did not make an error. It will take 8,131 crabs to restore balance to the ecosystem.
CThey added 3,122 to the right side of the equation instead of subtracting 3,122 from both sides to find c.
DThey subtracted 5,009 to the left side of the equation instead of adding 3,122 to both sides to find c.
X
HINT: Identify the operation (+, -, x, /) that must be used to isolate the variable c.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, –, x, /) must be used to find the variable c.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, –, x, /) must be used to find the variable c.

Congratulations!

You correctly identified the error. Nicely done! 1,887 crabs were reintroduced to the ecosystem to restore
balance. Now let’s continue across the Atlantic to the coast of Nova Scotia, where another animal needs our help!

GO

Sorry, that's not the right response. The correct answer is C—your team member
made an error by using addition.
You can isolate the variable c by using subtraction on both
sides of the equation to reveal that 1,887 crabs are needed to restore balance to the ecosystem.

Now let’s continue across the Atlantic to the Bay of Fundy, where another animal needs our help!

GO

Welcome to the Gobi Desert!

We need to bring back the black-tailed gazelles.

The vegetation the gazelles usually eat has become wildly overgrown. To control the
plants and bring the ecosystem back in balance, the gazelles must be returned.

NEXT

The following equation represents the gazelles needed to regain balance in the ecosystem,
where g represents the number of gazelles:

17g = 272

Using this equation, the rescue team decided that 255 gazelles are required to reestablish balance. Which choice
below BEST represents the error in their thinking and math calculation?

AThey added 17 to both sides of the equation instead of multiplying both sides by 17 to
find g.
BThey subtracted 17 from both sides of the equation instead of dividing both sides by 17 to find g.
CThey multiplied both sides of the equation by 17 instead of dividing both sides by 17 to
find g.
DThey did not make an error. It will take 255 gazelles to restore balance to the ecosystem.
X
HINT: Identify the operation (+, -, x, /) that must be used to isolate the variable g.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember to first identify the operation (+, -, x, /) that must be used to isolate the variable g.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember to first identify the operation (+, -, x, /) that must be used to isolate the variable g.

Congratulations!

You correctly identified the error and restored balance with 16 gazelles! Now pack up your gear—another animal in the Gobi Desert needs our help!


NEXT

Sorry, that's not the right response. B is the correct answer. By using division on
both sides of the equation, you can isolate the variable g to reveal that 16 gazelles would
restore balance to the ecosystem.


Now pack up your gear—another animal in the Gobi Desert needs our help!


NEXT

Welcome to Antarctica!

Welcome to Antarctica!

Penguins in peril!

Emperor penguins and macaroni penguins both live in the Antarctic
ecosystem. When the mysterious storm hit the area, it upset the delicate equilibrium
between the two marine birds.

NEXT

The equation below represents the ideal balance between emperor penguins and macaroni penguins in
Antarctica, where e represents the number of emperor penguins that must be brought back:

11,418 = 5,039 + e

Your teammate believes that 16,457 emperor penguins are needed to reestablish balance.
Which choice below BEST represents their math error?

AThey added 5,039 to the left side of the equation instead of subtracting 11,418 from both sides to find e.
BThey did not make an error. It will take 16,457 emperor penguins to restore balance to the ecosystem.
CThey added 5,039 to the left side of the equation instead of subtracting 5,039 from both sides to find e.
DThey added 11,418 to the left side of the equation instead of subtracting 5,039 from both sides to find e.
X
HINT: Identify the operation (+, -, x, /) that must be used to isolate the variable e.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember to first identify the operation (+, -, x, /) that must be used to isolate the variable e.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember to first identify the operation (+, -, x, /) that must be used to isolate the variable e.

You correctly identified the error! Nicely done!

You correctly identified the error and restored ecosystem balance with 6,379 emperor penguins! Now let’s keep going—the team found another creature in Antarctica that needs our help!


NEXT

Sorry, choice C is the correct answer. By using subtraction on both
sides of the equation, you can isolate the variable e to reveal that it will take
6,379 emperor penguins to re-establish balance to the ecosystem.


Now let’s keep going—the team found another creature in Antarctica that needs our help!


NEXT

Welcome to the Amazon Rainforest!

The glass frog species is on the verge of extinction.

The rescue team saved a large number of frogs. However, due to the number
of predators that eat them, the glass frogs will need a protected area to live
in once they are reintroduced to the rainforest.

NEXT

Wildlife conservationists on your team have constructed a trapezoidal sanctuary for
amphibians that they believe is large enough to support 94 frogs.
Each frog needs 12 square feet of land to avoid overcrowding.

Review the model above.
Which choice BEST represents the error in the conservationist's thinking and calculation?

AThey split the sanctuary into different shapes, which you can't do.
BThey made rectangles out of the triangle pieces, but forgot to only count a quarter of the area of each section.
CThey made rectangles out of the triangle pieces, but forgot to only count half the area of each section.
DThey did not make an error; the sanctuary contains 1,134 square feet of land, supporting 94 frogs.
X
HINT: Decompose (break up) the sanctuary into common, regular shapes
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember that the irregularly shaped sanctuary can be split into common, regular shapes. Then, consider each step of the area formulas for those shapes.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember that the irregularly shaped sanctuary can be split into common, regular shapes. Then, consider each step of the area formulas for those shapes.

You correctly identified the error!

The sanctuary has an area of 882 square feet and can hold 73 frogs safely. Now we can help more creatures in the rainforest!


NEXT

Sorry, that is not the correct explanation. C is the correct answer. The conservationist
decomposed the shape into a rectangle and two triangles, but forgot to do the last step of
the formula for the area of a triangle. Remember, a triangle has half the area of a rectangle.
The sanctuary has an area of 882 square feet and can hold 73 frogs safely.


Now let’s go help more creatures in the rainforest!


NEXT

Welcome to the Gulf of Mexico!

Brown algae has spread across the Gulf of Mexico!

The rescue team brought a special machine to remove excess algae so that animal
species can safely return to the ecosystem.

NEXT

Sorry, that is not the right answer. B is the correct answer. The
manufacturer used the length of the hypotenuse instead of the base in
the triangle area formula. The correct total area is 140 square meters.


Now let’s continue through the Gulf of Mexico to the coast of Louisiana, where another creature needs our help!


NEXT

The manufacturer's guide states that the algae extractor's nozzle head can cover 168 square meters
of the ocean surface at once to remove unwanted algae.

Review the nozzle head’s dimensions in the model above. Did the manufacturer
make an error in calculating its area?

AYes, the manufacturer split the nozzle head into different shapes, which you can't do.
BYes, while splitting off a triangle, they used the length of the hypotenuse instead of the base in the triangle area formula.
CYes, they multiplied the base and height of the triangle, but forgot to divide the area by two to find its area.
DNo, they did not make an error. The machine can extract 168 square meters of unwanted algae at once.
X
HINT: Decompose (break up) the nozzle into common shapes.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. After you split the irregularly shaped nozzle head into common, regular shapes, carefully consider the shape dimensions and area formulas.
Sorry, that is incorrect. After you split the irregularly shaped nozzle head into common, regular shapes, carefully consider the shape dimensions and area formulas.

You correctly identified the error! Nicely done!

The nozzle can extract 140 square meters of algae at once. Now let’s continue through the Gulf of Mexico to the northern coast of Cuba, where another creature needs our help!


NEXT

Welcome to the Arctic Circle!

We've rescued a herd of musk oxen.

Now let's set up a preserve where they can find food and regain their
strength. To determine how many musk oxen can safely be resettled on the preserve,
you must calculate the area of the land.

NEXT

You have saved the musk oxen herd!

Now we’re receiving reports of another animal that needs our help in the Arctic. Let’s go!

GO

Save the seals!

Designate a preserve on the pack ice for the rescued seals to haul-out—come out of the frigid arctic
waters to rest, molt, and care for their newborn pups. First, calculate the area of the ice.

NEXT

Fantastic work!

167 ribbon seals can haul-out on the ice. You have saved the ribbon seals!


Which ecosystem should we help next?


Gobi DesertAntarctica

Terns in trouble!

The rescued Arctic terns need a protected area along the rocky coast to nest and forage.

NEXT

Fantastic work!

You have helped the Arctic terns flourish along the coast!


Which ecosystem should we help next?


Gobi DesertAntarctica

Use a combination of the pieces provided below and show ONE way that the ice could be decomposed (broken
up) to find its area. Drag and drop the shapes onto the drawing above.

What is the area of the ice?

square kilometers


NEXT

Correct.

Each ribbon seal needs 0.31 square kilometers of ice. Given that the preserve is 52 square kilometers, how many
individual seals will have enough room to haul-out?

ribbon seals


NEXT
X
HINT: Find a shape that matches the dimensions for PART of the ice above. Now drag that piece onto the ice and find another shape.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Double-check your work and ensure you accounted for ALL the parts that make up the ice's area.
>Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, -, x, /) must be used to find the number of ribbon seals that can live on the ice.
Remember, only whole numbers of ribbon seals can be relocated.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, -, x, /) must be used to find the number of ribbon seals that can live on the ice.
Remember, only whole numbers of ribbon seals can be relocated.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, -, x, /) must be used to find the number of ribbon seals that can live on the ice.
Remember, only whole numbers of ribbon seals can be relocated.

Use a combination of the pieces provided below and show ONE way that the coastal preserve could be
decomposed (broken up) to find its area. Drag and drop the shapes onto the drawing above.

What is the area of the preserve?

square meters


NEXT

Great figuring!

Each pair of Arctic terns needs 0.4 square meters of coast to build a scrape—a ground nest with stones, shells and
vegetation. Given that the coastal preserve is 124 square meters, how many scrapes can be constructed?

scrapes


NEXT
X
HINT: Find a shape that matches the dimensions for PART of the preserve above. Now drag that piece onto the preserve and find another shape.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Double-check your work and ensure you accounted for ALL the parts that make up the coastal preserve's area.
>Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, -, x, /) must be used to find the number of scrapes that can be built.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, -, x, /) must be used to find the number of scrapes that can be built.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, -, x, /) must be used to find the number of scrapes that can be built.

Sorry, that is incorrect.
The ice is 52 square kilometers. Now let's calculate how many ribbon seals can haul-out on the ice.

NEXT

Nice effort, but that is incorrect.
167 ribbon seals can haul-out on the ice.
52/0.31 square kilometers = 167.74 seals, but 0.74 isn't a complete seal, so the answer can't be rounded up.


Which ecosystem should we help next?


Gobi DesertAntarctica

Sorry, that is incorrect.
The preserve is 124 square meters. Now let's calculate how many nests can be built there.

NEXT

Nice effort, but that is incorrect.
310 scrapes can be built on the coastal preserve, because 124 meters of preserve
divided by 0.4 square meters per Arctic tern equals 310.


Which ecosystem should we help next?


Gobi DesertAntarctica

Use a combination of the pieces provided below and show ONE way that the land could be decomposed
(broken up) to find its area. Drag and drop the shapes onto the drawing above.

What is the area of the pasture?

square meters


NEXT

Correct.

Each ox needs 6 square meters of land. Given that the preserve is 176 square meters,
how many oxen can safely be returned to the pasture?

oxen


NEXT
X
HINT: Find a shape that matches the dimensions for PART of the pasture above. Now drag that piece onto the pasture and find another shape.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Double-check your work and ensure you accounted for ALL the parts that make up the pasture's area.
>Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, -, x, /) must be used to find the number of oxen that can live in the pasture.
Remember, only whole numbers of oxen can be relocated.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, -, x, /) must be used to find the number of oxen that can live in the pasture.
Remember, only whole numbers of oxen can be relocated.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Identify what operation (+, -, x, /) must be used to find the number of oxen that can live in the pasture.
Remember, only whole numbers of oxen can be relocated.

Sorry, that is incorrect. The pasture is 176 square meters. Now let's
calculate how many oxen we can move into the preserve.

NEXT

That's not the right calculation. 29 oxen can be safely returned. Now we’re receiving reports of another animal that needs our help in the Arctic. Let’s go!

GO

Practice is an important part of a successful adventure.

This marks the end of your rescue mission. Whether you feel very confident or not so confident,
practicing will help you improve your skills. Keep practicing to find victory with math.

NEXT

Out of its depth!

The rescued colossal squid needs to be returned to the bathypelagic zone of the ocean, also
known as the midnight zone.

NEXT

Colossal squid thrive in the midnight zone of the ocean, where it is entirely dark. The midnight zone is located
between 3,300–13,100 meters below sea level. The rescue team has two sonar readings for possible release
sites for the squid where d = depth (meters below sea level):

Site A: 15d = 55,125      Site B: 2d = 6,348

One teammate believes that Site B is best because 6,348 m falls in the middle of the midnight zone, whereas
Site A is much too deep for this species to thrive. Which choice below BEST represents their math error?

AThey did not make an error. 55,125 m is too deep for the colossal squid and 6,348 falls in the middle of the midnight zone.
BThey forgot to isolate the variable in each of the sonar readings to find the depth.
CThey isolated d by moving it to the other side of the equation, which you can’t do.
DThey used estimation and rough calculations to determine that Site B is around the right depth rather than calculating the depth with accuracy.
X
HINT: Identify the inverse operation (+, -, x, ÷) that must be used to isolate the variable d.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember to first identify the operation (+, -, x, ÷) that must be used to isolate the variable d.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember to first identify the operation (+, -, x, ÷) that must be used to isolate the variable d.

Congratulations!

You correctly identified the error! Nicely done! Now the team can isolate the variables in each of the
sonar readings to discover that Site A hit the midnight zone with a depth of 3,675 meters, whereas
Site B was too shallow at a depth of 3,174 meters.


NEXT

Sorry, choice B is the correct answer. The team member incorrectly used the number after the equals
sign as the ocean depth, instead of isolating the variable d, which represents the depth. Now the team
can isolate the variables in each of the sonar readings to discover that Site A fell within the midnight
zone with a depth of 3,675 meters and Site B was too shallow at a depth of 3,174 meters.


NEXT

Heavy lifting!

An elephant seal weighing more than 4,000 pounds was discovered miles inland and needs to
be returned to the sea. The team plans to hoist the seal into the rescue vessel with the help of
counterweights and a large sling.

NEXT

The elephant seal weighs 4,360 lbs. The counterweights used to hoist it are 50 pounds each. In the equation
below, w represents the number of counterweights the team will need to use to lift the seal. To work properly,
the counterweights must weigh at least as much as the seal.

50w ≥ 4,360

Your teammate believes that 87 counterweights are needed to lift the seal.
Which choice below BEST represents their math error?

AThey did not make an error. It will take 87 counterweights to lift the elephant seal.
BThey needed to round the decimal number up, not down, so the weights would weigh at least as much as the seal.
CWhen they solved the equation, they put the decimal in the wrong place.
DThey divided the counterweight by the weight of the seal, instead of the other way around.
X
HINT: After isolating the variable, how will rounding affect the answer?
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. After isolating the variable w, consider how to handle any decimals. The seal can't be lighter than the counterweights.
Sorry, that is incorrect. After isolating the variable w, consider how to handle any decimals. The seal can't be lighter than the counterweights.

Congratulations!

You correctly identified the error! Nicely done! The team member should have rounded their answer of
87.2 counterweights up to 88 instead of down to 87. Since the seal is heavier than 87 counterweights, an extra
counterweight is needed to hoist it.


NEXT

Sorry, choice B is the correct answer. The team member should have rounded their
answer of 87.5 lbs up instead of down. Since the seal is heavier than 87 counterweights,
an extra counterweight is needed to hoist it.


NEXT

Rhubarb Required!

Food and water in the Gobi desert is scarce. Help the team find a suitable site to
relocate the rescued Gobi bears—one that’s lush with wild rhubarb.

NEXT

Using the following equations, the rescue team determined Site A is the best spot for the rescued
bears because it has a rhubarb plant density of 0.67 per square meter, which is higher than 0.63,
the density at Site B. d represents rhubarb density in each of the equations.

Site A: d = 6,750 plants/4,500 m2      Site B: d = 6,584 plants/4,115 m2

Which choice below BEST represents the error in their thinking and math calculation?

AThey did not make an error. Rounded to the nearest hundredth, Site A has a rhubarb plant density of 0.67 and Site B has a density of 0.63.
BThey should have rounded the decimals down, not up.
CThey moved square meters to the other side of the equation and changed the operation from division to multiplication.
DThey divided square meters by the number of plants instead of the other way around.
X
HINT: Consider how the team member must have set up the equations to get the results of 0.67 and 0.63.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Consider how the team member must have set up the equations (operations and order of numbers) to get their results.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Consider how the team member must have set up the equations (operations and order of numbers) to get their results.

Congratulations!

You correctly identified the error. Nicely done! The Gobi bears will be returned to
Site B instead of A because B has a higher density of rhubarb plants.
There are 1.6 plants/m2 at Site B vs. 1.5 plants/m2 at Site A.


NEXT

Sorry, that's not the right response. D is the correct answer. The rescue team was dividing
square meters by the number of plants, instead of plants by square meters. Not to worry!
The Gobi bears will be returned to Site B instead of A because B has a higher density of
rhubarb plants. There are 1.6 plants/m2 at Site B vs. 1.5 plants/m2 at Site A.


NEXT

Countdown to Hibernation!

The Gobi desert has one of the harshest climates on planet Earth. Can the rescued jerboas
burrow and begin their hibernation before the whipping winds of winter arrive?

NEXT

A rescue team member wrote the following equation to figure out how many contingency days could be added to the plan. Based on this equation, there is concern that the jerboas cannot be safely returned to the desert.

36 + x = 11 + 18 + 4

Which choice below BEST represents the error in their thinking and math calculation?

AThey wrote the equation incorrectly, adding “x contingency days” to “time until winter arrives” instead of subtracting them.
BThey wrote the equation incorrectly, adding x to the left side of the equation instead of multiplying it on the right.
CThey did not make an error. By isolating x, we discover the jerboas could still be building their burrows when winter arrives.
DThey wrote the equation incorrectly. It should have been written 36 = 11x + 18x + 4x.
X
HINT: Consider which operations (+, -, x, /) are being used and why.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Consider why certain operations (+, -, x, ÷) are used. Where do the extra contingency days fit with the start of winter?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Consider why certain operations (+, -, x, ÷) are used. Where do the extra contingency days fit with the start of winter?

Congratulations!

You correctly identified the error. Nicely done! The jerboas were returned safely to the desert with 3
extra days in the plan just in case.


NEXT

Sorry, that's not the right response. A is the correct answer. The team member made an error in
their thinking when they wrote the equation. Contingency plan days (x) could have either been added
together with travel, acclimation and burrowing days on the right side of the equation, or subtracted
from days before winter on the left.
Not to worry! The jerboas were returned safely to the desert with 3 extra days in the plan just in case.


NEXT

Lush Greens Needed!

The team has identified a riverside site to rehome the rescued capybaras. The river is lush with
sedges, switchgrass, and crowngrass—favorite foods of the capybara!

NEXT

Wildlife conservationists have calculated that the rescued capybara and its pups will need at least 2,000
square meters of water habitat to sustain their diets of mostly aquatic plants. A team member has
calculated that the proposed site is 1,859 m2 and therefore falls short of the requirement.

Review the proposed site above. Which choice BEST represents the error in the conservationist’s
thinking and calculation?

AThey calculated the area of the floodplain instead of the river.
BThey decomposed the water habitat into two rectangles, and used an incorrect width of 39 m in one of their calculations.
CThey broke the river into triangles and divided their calculations by 2 which isn’t a helpful decomposition strategy for this site.
DThey did not make an error. The river has a total area of 1,859 m2.
X
HINT: Decompose (break up) the river into common, regular shapes.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember that the irregularly shaped river can be split into common, regular shapes.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember that the irregularly shaped river can be split into common, regular shapes.

Nicely done!

You correctly identified the error. The river has a true area of 2,028 m2, enough to sustain the
capybara and its pups!


NEXT

Sorry, that's not the right response. B is the correct answer. The team member accidentally decomposed the left side of
the river into a smaller shape and calculated using 39 m as the width instead of 52 m. Thankfully,
the river has an area of 2,028 m2, enough to sustain the capybara and its pups!


NEXT

Protective Thickets!

The team has identified a rainforest preserve for the rescued pygmy marmosets. The dense
understory (the trees and shrubs between the forest canopy and the forest floor) provides lots of
protection and great places for the monkeys to hide from predators.

NEXT

The pygmy marmosets need a minimum of 800 m2 of space to survive in the preserve. In a rush to get
the rescued marmosets resettled, a team member calculated that the understory preserve provides a
spacious 3,888 m2 of area for the monkeys.

Review the model above. Which choice BEST represents the error in the team member’s
thinking and calculation?

AThey did not make an error. If you multiply 54 m x 72 m you get 3,888 m2, the area of the understory.
BThey were supposed to decompose the preserve into smaller shapes and find the area of 27 m x 18 m, which is 486 m2.
CThey didn’t decompose the preserve into smaller shapes properly. They mistook 54 m as the width of the understory.
DThey were supposed to decompose the preserve into smaller shapes and find the area of 54 m x 18 m, which is 972 m2.
X
HINT: Decompose (break up) the preserve into common, regular shapes.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Try splitting the irregularly shaped preserve into common, regular shapes. Use subtraction to find missing side lengths.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Try splitting the irregularly shaped preserve into common, regular shapes. Use subtraction to find missing side lengths.

Nicely done!

You correctly identified the error. The rescued pygmy marmosets will have 1,944 m2 of dense
understory to hide in, which is still a healthy amount of space!


NEXT

Sorry, that's not the right response. C is the correct answer. The team member accidentally calculated the area
of the preserve using 54 m as its width rather than 27 m. Not to worry! The rescued pygmy
marmosets will have 1,944 m2 of dense understory to hide in—still a healthy amount of space!


NEXT

Crunch time!

Confirm the amount of crustaceans and mollusks needed to sustain the diets of rescued loggerheads
before their release into the ocean.

NEXT

The six rescued loggerhead turtles require 11.6 pounds of mussels, 5.3 pounds of horseshoe crabs,
and 1.7 pounds of sea snails to sustain their daily diet. Using the below equation, scientists
determined each turtle will need 12.6 lbs of food per day.

6f = 11.6 + 5.3 + 1.7

Which choice below BEST represents the error in their thinking and math calculation?

AThey subtracted 6, but 6 is a coefficient, connected to the variable through multiplication. So they should divide by 6 to isolate the variable.
BThey divided each side of the equation by 1 to find out how much food one loggerhead requires.
CThey added the terms on the right side of the equation together and then forgot to divide each side by 6 to isolate the variable.
DThey divided each side of the equation by 18.6 to isolate f.
X
HINT: Identify the inverse (opposite) operation (+, -, x, ÷) that must be used to isolate the variable f.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember, division is the inverse (opposite) operation of multiplication.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember, division is the inverse (opposite) operation of multiplication.

You correctly identified the error. Nicely done!

Good news: The team has determined that the ecosystem can support the daily requirement of 3.1 pounds of
food for each of the rescued loggerheads!


Which ecosystem should we help next?


Amazon RainforestGulf of Mexico

Sorry, that's not the right response. A is the correct answer. After simplifying the equation to 6f
= 18.6, the team member tried to isolate the variable by subtracting 6 from both sides of the equation.
However, since 6f means 6 multiplied by f, the inverse operation of division should be used. Dividing
18.6 by 6, the team discovered that each loggerhead requires 3.1 lbs of food per day.


Which ecosystem should we help next?


Amazon RainforestGulf of Mexico

Competition crisis!

Relocating the rescued harbour porpoises to the Bay of Fundy puts them in direct competition for
food with grey and harbour seals. The overlap in their diets includes sand eels, cod, and herring.

NEXT

The team has determined that the ecosystem can support a total of 4,152 porpoises, grey seals and harbor seals, based on available fish stocks. If there are 3,117 grey seals and 622 harbor seals already in the bay, p in the equation below represents the total number of porpoises the ecosystem can support.

p + 3,117 + 622 = 4,152

A rescue team member believes 1,035 porpoises can be returned to the ecosystem. Which choice below BEST
represents the error in their thinking and math calculation?

AThey did not make an error. The ecosystem can support the introduction of 1,035 harbour porpoises.
BThey should have subtracted 4,152 from both sides of the equation, then added p to the right side of the equation.
CThey simplified the equation by adding 3,117 and 622 together. Then they added the sum to each side of the equation to find p.
DThey subtracted 3,117 from both sides of the equation to find p, but forgot to subtract 622 from both sides as well.
X
HINT: Identify the inverse operation (+, -, x, ÷) that must be used to isolate the variable p.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Examine each step of isolating the variable p using inverse operations. Double-check each calculation.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Examine each step of isolating the variable p using inverse operations. Double-check each calculation.

You correctly identified the error. Nicely done!

413 harbour porpoises were reintroduced to the bay.


Which ecosystem should we help next?


Amazon RainforestGulf of Mexico

Sorry, that's not the right response. D is the correct answer. By simplifying then using
subtraction on both sides of the equation we can isolate p and discover that 413 harbour
porpoises can be relocated to the bay.


Which ecosystem should we help next?


Amazon RainforestGulf of Mexico

Decisions, decisions!

The rescued saltmarsh snakes need to be returned to the coastal wetland, but where?

NEXT

The snakes need a combined habitat of at least 1,720 square meters of mangrove
and 550 square meters of open water.

A team member has determined that Site B is too small to be an option for relocating the rescued saltmarsh
snakes. Which choice below BEST represents the error in their thinking and math calculation?

AThey did not make an error. Site A is the only site with at least 1,720 m2 of mangrove and 550 m2 of open water.
BSite B has more open water than site A and is therefore the better place to relocate the snakes.
CBoth sites have the same area of mangrove and open water. Therefore either site is suitable for the rescued snakes.
DSite B is the better place to relocate the snakes. It has more than 1,730 m2 of mangrove and 590 m2 of open water.
X
HINT: Use subtraction to figure out any missing side lengths.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Find missing side lengths with subtraction. Break up the irregular shapes into common shapes, then add up their areas.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Find missing side lengths with subtraction. Break up the irregular shapes into common shapes, then add up their areas.

Congratulations!

You correctly identified the error. Nicely done! Site A and B both have 1,728 m2 of mangrove and 576 m2 of
open water. Both sites are suitable for the saltmarsh snakes!


NEXT

Sorry, that's not the right response. C is the correct answer. Site A and B both have 1,728 m2
of mangrove and 576 m2 of open water. Both sites are suitable for the saltmarsh snakes!


NEXT

Temperatures in turmoil!

Water temperatures off the coast have dropped unexpectedly, impacting the
rescue plans for the flying fish.

NEXT

The rescued species of flying fish can’t tolerate water temperatures below 68 °F so the rescue team is working
to calculate how much of the 45 km2 marine reserve is still hospitable (warm enough) for the fish.


After calculating, a rescue team member is relieved to find that the fish will still have an area of 17.5 km2 in
which to swim and soar! Which choice below BEST represents the error in their thinking and math calculation?

AThey calculated the area of the reserve that is too cold for the fish.
BThey did not make an error. 17.5 km2 of the reserve is available for the flying fish.
CThey decomposed the reserve into triangles, but forgot to divide by 2 to properly calculate the area of each one.
DThey estimated the hospitable area by multiplying the total area of the reserve by 39%.
X
HINT: Be sure to match the details of the word problem to the calculations you choose to do.
Not sure
how to
start?
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember, if calculations are correct but don’t match the details of the word problem, then the answer won’t be right.
Sorry, that is incorrect. Remember, if calculations are correct but don’t match the details of the word problem, then the answer won’t be right.

Congratulations!

You correctly identified the error. Nicely done! The flying fish have 27.5 km2—plenty of room to
swim and soar!


NEXT

Sorry, that's not the right response. A is the correct answer. The team member
accidentally calculated the area of the reserve that is too cold for the fish. The flying fish have 27.5 km2 of water that’s warm enough—plenty of room to swim and soar!


NEXT
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