Problem Solving Materials: Items to represent the characters in the problem

Can She Make It?

Mrs. Peterson, her twin sons, and the family puppy Pepper are at the foot of the stairs. Mrs. Peterson must carry her sons and the puppy up the stairs to their apartment on the next floor. She feels comfortable leaving the twins alone together for a moment, but she does not want to leave Pepper alone with either of the boys because it likes to nip at them. Pepper is on a leash, so she can leave him alone momentarily.

Using the materials available, you and your partner are to figure out a way for Mrs. Peterson to get her sons and the puppy upstairs safely. ©Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Pre-Algebra