Spring Math & Reading — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A garden bed is 12.5 feet long and 8.4 feet wide so the area is 20.9 square feet.
Corrected: A garden bed is 12.5 feet long and 8.4 feet wide, so the area is 105 square feet.
The corrected sentence is: "A garden bed is 12.5 feet long and 8.4 feet wide, so the area is 105 square feet.". The original sentence "A garden bed is 12.5 feet long and 8.4 feet wide so the area is 20.9 square feet." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
A seedling grew 238 inches each week for 4 weeks so the total growth was 838 inches.
Corrected: A seedling grew 238 inches each week for 4 weeks, so the total growth was 912 inches.
The corrected sentence is: "A seedling grew 238 inches each week for 4 weeks, so the total growth was 912 inches.". The original sentence "A seedling grew 238 inches each week for 4 weeks so the total growth was 838 inches." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
Maria bought 3 seed packets for $2.75 each and paid with $10 so her change was $2.75.
Corrected: Maria bought 3 seed packets for $2.75 each and paid with $10, so her change was $1.75.
The corrected sentence is: "Maria bought 3 seed packets for $2.75 each and paid with $10, so her change was $1.75.". The original sentence "Maria bought 3 seed packets for $2.75 each and paid with $10 so her change was $2.75." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. To find the area of a rectangular garden, multiply the length by the width.
Area = length × width for rectangles.
2. The distance around the outside of a garden bed is called the perimeter.
Perimeter is the total distance around the outside edge of any shape.
3. When multiplying a whole number by a mixed number, first convert the mixed number to an improper fraction.
Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions before multiplying. E.g., 238 = 198.
4. In the expression 12.5 times 8.4, there are two total decimal places in the factors.
12.5 has 1 decimal place; 8.4 has 1 decimal place. Total = 2 decimal places in the product.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. A rectangular flower bed is 15.5 feet long and 6 feet wide. A bag of mulch covers 25 square feet. How many bags does the gardener need? Show your work.
Sample answer: The area is 15.5 times 6 which equals 93 square feet. Dividing 93 by 25 gives 3.72, so the gardener needs 4 bags because you cannot buy a partial bag.
Area = 15.5 × 6 = 93 sq ft. 93 ÷ 25 = 3.72 → round up to 4 bags.
2. A sunflower grows 314 inches per week. After 6 weeks, how tall has it grown? Explain your steps.
Sample answer: Convert 314 to the improper fraction 134. Multiply 134 by 6 to get 784, which simplifies to 1912 inches of total growth.
314 = 134. 134 × 6 = 784 = 1924 = 1912 inches.