1. The current dome on top of the capitol was originally planned to be 100 yards tall. It was then down sized to 287 feet. What is the percentage of the decrease?
2. In 1996, 730,000 visitors attended four annual flower shows. An equal number of people attended each show. In the winter show 70% did not view the plants from desert regions. How many  people viewed the desert plants?
3. The Capitol Power Plant was completed in 1912. It had a 25-cycle A C. generator. It was updated in 1923. If it created 1,000,000 watts of power a year how much power was made before it was updated?

The following word problems were contributed by Ben ('03).

4. The Capitol Grounds cover approximately 274 acres.  One acre is 43560 feet square. If this is so then find the area in square feet and what are 3 possible lengths of the building if the widths are 960 feet, 1000 feet and 4356 feet.   (Answer should be in square feet)
5. There are 18,000 people that visit the Capitol everyday.  How many people visit it every hour?  Week?  Month (30 day)? Year?
6. The Capitol was started in 1793, 2,544 months later, the capitol will be completed.  How many years is this? Days? Hours?

Answers

Go to http://www.aoc.gov Click on "The Capitol Complex" link

1. How many buildings is the complex made of?

Click on the "Projects" link

2. How many links are there to find out further information? 

Click on the "Office of the Architect" link at the top

3. Who's idea did George Washington accept for the Capitol?

Answers

1. Washington designed the Capitol.

2. The design for the Capitol would be awarded $500.

3. On August 26,1824 the British set fire to the Capitol.

The Capitol

Pierre Charles L'Enfant was expected to design the Capitol, but his dismissal in 1792 due to his refusal to cooperate with the Commissioners of the Federal Buildings, resulted in other plans. A competition was suggested by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and President George Washington that would award $500 and a city lot to whomever produced the winning plan by mid-July. None of the 17 plans submitted were satisfactory. In October, a letter arrived from Dr. William Thornton; a Scottish-trained physician living in the British West Indies, requesting an opportunity to submit his plan after the competition was closed. The Commissioners granted his request and President Washington commended the plan that was soon accepted by the Commissioners.

On August 24, 1814, British troops set fire to the building during the War of 1812. A rainstorm prevented its complete destruction and Latrobe returned to Washington in 1815 to make repairs. He took this opportunity to make changes to the building's interior design and to introduce new materials, such as marble. Latrobe, however, resigned his post in November of 1817 because of construction delays and increasing costs. Charles Bulfinch, a Boston architect, was appointed Latrobe's successor in January of 1818. Continuing the restoration, he was able to make the chambers of the Senate and House, as well as the Supreme Court, ready for use by 1819. Bulfinch redesigned the central section, making the dome that topped the section higher. Bulfinch spent his last couple of years on the Capitol's landscaping and decoration until his position was terminated in 1829.
The work on the dome and extensions was completed in 1868 under Edward Clark, who had served as Walter's assistant until his resignation in 1865.  After a fire in November 1898, the need for fireproofing became evident. Elliot Woods, Clark's successor, saw to the reconstruction and fireproofing of the damaged wing.

The 20th century has seen even further changes for the Capitol. The East front extension added 102 more rooms from 1959 to 1960. The stonework was also changed from sandstone to Georgia marble during the process. After a public protest at further plans to expand in the 1970s, the plans were dismissed and the vote went to restore, rather than enlarge, the West Front. Since then, primary emphasis has been on strengthening, renovating and preserving the building.

            Today, the Capitol covers a ground area of 175,170 square feet and has a floor area of about 16.5 acres. In addition to its use by Congress, the Capitol is a museum of American art and history. It stands as a focal point of the government's legislative branch and as a centerpiece of Capitol Hill and the National Mall.

Answer to Word Math Problems

1. 4.3 percent

2. 54,750 people

3. 11,000,000 watts

4. 11935440 is the area.  The three lengths could be 12432.75² ft., 11935.44²ft. and 2740²ft.

5. 750: 126,000: 540,000: 6,570,000

6. 212: 77,433: 1,858,392

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Answers to Scavenger Hunt

1. False, Pierre Charles L'Enfant designed the Capital.
2. True.
3. False, It was set fire on August 24, 1824. 

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Architect of the Government . 01/02/2001. 18-December-2003 <http://aoc.gov>