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Science project idea

How many tiles for the floor? Area, wastage and cost by newspaper model

The number of tiles needed depends on the area of the room divided by the area of a tile, plus some extra for cutting. You model a room with newspaper sheets as tiles and then work out the count and cost for a real room.

Make it yourself7 numbered steps, the materials and the science, all free.Go to the stepsGet a ready-made kitReady-made models, kits and spare parts in the store under Maths.Browse MathsAsk on WhatsAppAsk the head office whether a model or kit for this idea is available.Send a message

What it shows

The number of tiles needed depends on the area of the room divided by the area of a tile, plus some extra for cutting. You model a room with newspaper sheets as tiles and then work out the count and cost for a real room.

The science

Area is length times width, and it is measured in square units. The count of whole tiles is the room area divided by the tile area, rounded up. Tiles at the edge must be cut, so a fraction of tiles is wasted, and builders add about 5 to 10 percent extra for breakage and cutting.

Materials

Cost: free. Many items come from home or from waste; spare parts such as LEDs, motors and wire are in the store.

  • Old newspapers
  • A measuring tape or a ruler
  • Scissors (adult helps)
  • Sticky tape
  • A calculator
  • A notebook
  • A tile price from a shop or a leaflet

Safety

For this project: An adult must handle scissors and help with measuring in the room. Do not climb on furniture to measure.

Never use mains electricity: power models with cells, batteries or a low-voltage adapter. Sharp and hot tools, flames and lab chemicals need an adult or your teacher beside you. Keep magnets, button cells and small parts away from young children, and wash your hands after making.

All the safety rules

Step by step

7 steps. Do them in order, and test each part before you go on to the next. Write what you notice in a notebook as you go.

  1. Measure the length and width of a room in metres and calculate its area.

  2. Measure the side of a tile in cm, for example 60 cm by 60 cm, and find its area.

  3. Cut newspaper squares to the size of the tile and lay them on the floor for a small part of the room as a model.

  4. Count how many fit along the length and the width, and write down any part tiles at the ends.

  5. Divide the room area by the tile area and round up to find the number of whole tiles.

  6. Add 10 percent for wastage and round up again.

  7. Multiply by the price per tile to find the cost and compare two different tile sizes.

What you should see

The number of tiles you calculate matches what you count with the newspaper layout, and the extra for cutting adds a few tiles. Larger tiles need fewer pieces but may waste more.

Viva questions

A teacher or a judge will ask how it works. Try to answer each question before you open it, then compare.

1How do you find the area of a room?

Multiply its length by its width.

2Why add extra tiles?

For cutting at the edges and breakage.

3Why round up?

You cannot buy part of a tile.

4What is the area of a 60 cm tile?

3,600 square cm, or 0.36 square metres.

Free ebook: Viva Questions for Science Projects

Take it further

Find the number of tiles for an L-shaped room by splitting it into two rectangles.

Change one thing, measure what happens, and add a table or chart of your readings: that is what turns a model into your own investigation.

Free ebooks for this project

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