Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications

Product ID: Henrys Notes
Supplementary Print
High School

Raking Leaves

Author: Henry Pollak


In the fall, raking leaves is a major chore in many households. Leaves must be gotten off the ground and, typically, into one pile. In the olden days, after a decent interval for jumping, the pile was then burnt; nowadays, it is more likely to be the compost pile, or the place from where the leaves will be taken to the dump.

How do the leaves get to this terminal location? Usually, the leaves will be raked into a number of smaller piles, and then carried in baskets, old sheets, or bags to the designated spot. Sometimes they are blown rather than raked, but raking is the more strenuous activity, and will be assumed in our model.

©2016 by COMAP, Inc.
Consortium 110
3 pages

Mathematics Topics:

Application Areas:

  • Optimization

You must have a Full Membership to download this resource.

If you're already a member, login here.

Not yet a member?


COMAP, Inc.

COMAP develops curriculum resources, professional development programs, and contest opportunities that are multidisciplinary, academically rigorous, and fun for educators and students. COMAP's educational philosophy is centered around mathematical modeling: using mathematical tools to explore real-world problems.


© 2023 COMAP, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.