tj math problem solving essay

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See previous problem solving essay prompts here, check out our feature in wtop, preparing for the essays has always been a vague, sometimes debated concept. one easy way to prepare for the problem solving (also called math based, science based and ethics) essays is to try the previous years'. each one should be done in an hour end to end. the most important thing to do in these is to explain and show your thoughts. though the right answer is a great, being able to show your thoughts is so much more important. remember to write them without the use of a calculator and an application that does not have spell check (ie. notepad).

It is  5:30 AM, and as a helicopter pilot you’ve just been told there’s an injured man on a boat you need to get to a hospital. The boat is going towards where you are at 10 mph, but is currently 400 miles away. You need to get him as soon as possible, but you only have 6600 lbs of fuel in your helicopter, which burns 1200 lbs per hour, and always travels at 150 mph. Also, you need to account for 30 min of fuel spent hovering over the boat to get the man into the helicopter, and 1 extra hour of fuel due to helicopter standards. When do you leave and why?

You are a researcher in the Falkland Islands You’ve been asked to estimate the penguin population. The current population is 1000 penguins. 500 pairs produce one chick per pair per year. At the end of each year there is a loss of 20% of the total population. Figure out how many penguins there will be at the end of seven years. Develop a formula that solves the problem.

When designing a stairway, an architect can use the riser-tread formula 2h +d = 25, where h is the riser height, in inches, and d is the tread depth, in inches. For any given stairway, the riser heights are the same and the tread depths are the same for all steps in that stairway.

The number of steps in a stairway is the number of its risers. For example, there are 5 steps in the stairway in the figure above. The total rise of a stairway is the sum of the riser heights as shown in the figure. 

An architect wants to use the riser-tread formula to design a stairway with a total rise of 9 feet, a riser height between 7 and 8 inches, and an odd number of steps. With the architect’s constraints, which of the following must be the tread depth, in inches, of the stairway?

To see the figure, click here

The Chesapeake Bay holds about 18 trillion gallons of water. The Chesapeake Bay covers about 4,480 square miles or about 3,000,000 acres. Each acre can hold 750,000 oysters and each oyster is capable of filtering 50 gallons of water per day. Can there be enough oysters to filter the Chesapeake Bay in one day?

***Please not that these are most likely not exactly how the prompts were worded. We searched the internet to compile these and cross referenced to find the most consistent version. These are great practice but not guaranteed the prompts verbatim***

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NEW TJHSST MATH PROBLEM-SOLVING ESSAY WORKBOOK VOLUME 1: Mastering New TJHSST Math Problem-Solving Essay Paperback – January 25, 2021

• Print length 69 pages
• Language English
• Publication date January 25, 2021
• Dimensions 8.5 x 0.18 x 11 inches
• ISBN-13 979-8599816300
• See all details

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08TYVBHD6
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (January 25, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 69 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8599816300
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.18 x 11 inches
• #145 in Topology (Books)

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Online, Self-Paced SPS & PSE Course

Course overview, our curriculum.

Student Portrait Sheet (SPS)

Planning, structuring, and writing SPS responses

Templates, "methodology," and checklist for SPS structure

How to tell a story with your extracurriculars; art of narrative writing

Preparing sets of pre-written re sponses, adaptable to any prompt

15 Successful examples & analysis

81  Practice Prompts, including exact prompts used from 2020 - 2024

Math Science Problem-Solving Essay (PSE)

Planning, structuring, and writing PSE responses

Templ ates, "methodology," and checklist for PSE structure

Math and Science conceptual videos, i nstructional packets

8 Successful examples & analysis

42 Practice PSE math and science promp ts + detailed video and written solutions

Line-By-Line, Individualized Feedback

Submit your practice responses for line-by-line feedback from our instructors

Feedback typically  within 1 week on up to 10 responses to given prompts

All practice prompts are designed in the same format as they have historically appeared on test-day

Time management, test day, and avoiding common pitfalls tips

Unlimited advising support through our Q&A forum, WhatsApp, and email

Sophomore admissions advising guarantee: don't get admitted the first time? We will support you with your sophomore application free of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q: How is this course run? A: This course is administered via Google Classroom, a highly intuitive platform similar to those students use at school, such as Schoology, Blackboard, or Canvas. The course includes pre-recorded videos and guides that teach students how to plan, structure, and write their responses, along with examples and templates. After working through the material, students can submit their responses for individualized line-by-line feedback from our instructors. ​ Q: How long does it take to receive feedback, after submitting? A: We aim to return student submissions within one week, but typically, we provide feedback within 2-3 days. Q: What if my student has a question? Whom can they talk to? A: We use Padlet, an easy-to-use platform, for students to ask and answer questions. One of our instructors, a TJHSST alumnus, will respond to students typically within a couple of hours with a detailed and comprehensive answer. Students can also view responses to other students' questions (700+ and counting). If further questions arise, students can contact us via WhatsApp or email. We are highly responsive and committed to ensuring all questions are answered. Q: How long does this course take?  A: On average, the course takes about 40-50 hours to complete. This includes 15-20 hours to work through all the video content and written materials, and an additional 25-30 hours to complete the practice prompts. Successful students have completed the course in as little as two weeks or as long as four years, depending on their pace. Some students who start early will repeat the course. Q: How long does the student get course access for? A: Students receive access until the end of their admissions cycle. For example, a student who signs up in 6th grade will have access to the course through 7th and 8th grade, including any updates we make to the course, at no additional cost. Thus, signing up early provides continuous access without the gimmicks of monthly or annual fees. Q: Is there a sibling discount? A: Yes! We offer a $100 discount per family for any families with two siblings enrolled in our courses in the same year. This will be applied as a credit back to your original payment method. After signing up, please email us to receive this discount. Q: Is this course as effective as live coaching? What if I want live coaching? A: While we offer live coaching, the self-paced online course has similar admission rates to small group coaching. If the student commits to completing the course, the self-paced course is highly effective. If you are interested in live coaching, please check out our small group coaching and our as-needed 1:1 sessions. Q: Can I switch later into Small Group Coaching? Will you prorate the tuition? A: Yes! We encourage younger students to start with the self-paced course, as it is typically sufficient for TJ admissions. If students wish to switch to small group coaching as they approach 8th grade, please contact us to apply the tuition paid for the self-paced course toward small group coaching. We are happy to accommodate switch requests, subject to availability. Q: How do the 'additional feedback sets' work? A: The course includes two feedback sets by default, each containing reviews of 4 SPS responses and 1 PSE response, totaling 10 responses. During registration, you can purchase up to three additional feedback sets, bringing the total to 25 responses. Each additional set provides a thorough review of another four SPS responses and one PSE response. While most students find the included feedback sets sufficient, these additional sets offer more support if needed. Discounts are available for purchasing multiple sets during registration, and you can add these sets later through the course. Q: How does 'unlimited feedback' work? A: This option allows students to resubmit their responses to the two included feedback sets and up to three additional feedback sets (a total of 25 prompts) as many times as necessary. For additional responses beyond the included 25, students can email them for a high-level review, which will not receive the usual comprehensive review. Please note that it takes approximately seven days to review a response, so plan submissions accordingly. Q: Do you offer scholarships for low-income students? A: Yes, with appropriate documentation. We have provided tens of thousands in scholarships and will continue to support low-income students. Every student can take advantage of our TJ Prep, regardless of their ability to pay. TJ Prep is NOT "pay to play." Please email us at [email protected] to access the scholarship application form.

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TJ Problem-Solving Essay Boot Camp

Middle school students prepare for the Thomas Jefferson High School admissions process, with an emphasis on strategizing for the Problem-Solving Essay question and response.

The course is fully up to date for the revisions implemented by the FCPS School Board during the 2020-2021 school year, and guides students through the details of the new admissions process.

Students practice answering a variety of Problem-Solving Essay prompts, which require a written answer and explanation for a challenging, multi-variable mathematics- or science-related problem. They also learn a framework for responding to the Student Portrait Sheet essay prompts, and learn what the TJ Admissions Committee is looking for in their essays.

Each class meeting includes instruction and feedback to support students in efficiently writing organized, informative, and grammatically correct essays under time constraints. In this course, instructor feedback emphasizes student progress on Problem-Solving Essays, developing strategies to highlight the STEM strengths of each student within the time constraints.

The course also features information about the opportunities available to TJ students, and a chance to hear from TJ alumni about their experiences.

Please note: this course follows the same curriculum as the TJ Problem-Solving Essay Prep course that was available in the Fairfax Collegiate Summer Program.

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TJ math essay example prompts.

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TJ Admissions SIS Math Problem

In 2016, first round tj applicants were taken by surprise when they went to their assigned testing locations to complete the thomas jefferson high school of science and technology admissions 2nd round student information sheet (sis) and essay hurdle., the students got the sis questions, but instead of a final essay prompt, they received this challenging math problem., it’s 5:30 am, and you, a helicopter pilot, have just been told there’s an injured man on a boat you need to get to a hospital. the boat is going towards where you are at 10 mph, but is currently 400 miles away. you need to get him as soon as possible, but you only have 6600 lbs of fuel in your helicopter, which burns 1200 lbs per hour, and always travels at 150 mph. also, you need to account for 30 min of fuel spent hovering over the boat to get the man into the helicopter, and 1 extra hour of fuel due to helicopter standards. under these circumstances, when can you depart your station to get the man as soon as possible, give the question a try, and check the video below for the answer and kate dalby’s explanation. if you would like to prepare for the sis, register for inspiring test preparation’s, private writing instruction ., link to 2017 sis math problem., link to 2018 sis math problem., link to 2019 sis math problem., link to 2020 sis math problem., link to 2016 sis math problem:, share this story, choose your platform.