Please help with word problem in description

Question

A community cent is organizing a dance. There are 4 large columns arranged at the corners of a square. The decorating committee will hang 1 larger streamer from each column to every other column. How many streamers are needed?

Answer 1

It is most helpful if a picture is drawn to illustrate the what is being described in the wording of the problem....

 

1.  Draw four circles representing the four columns in the corners of a square.

 

2.  From each column, draw a single line to each of the three other columns (3 lines per column).  You should be drawing lines for the four sides of the square and the square's two diagonals.

 

3.  Count the number of lines extending from column to column (you should count 6).  Number each line so as not count a line twice.

 

 O---1----O

 | \      /  |

 |   3  4   |

 2    \/     5     6 streamers are needed for 

 |    / \    |     decorating the columns.

 |   /   \   |

 | /       \ |

 O---6----O