Why is it Special? Verifying Relationships of Right Triangles
A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively
engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.
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selecting “File”,then “Save As” from your browser’s
pull down menu. The file name extension must be .html.
Instruct the students to follow and answer the prompts provided in the activity independently.
Remind the students that they have previously studied the Pythagorean Theorem, which will help find the relationships between the sides.
The teacher should monitor students' progress on Desmos to identify problems or gaps in learning.
Assessment Strategies:
Once the students share their answers with the class, they can see three other students' answers for a comparison of the correctness of their work. The teacher can assess the students' answers in Desmos as well by checking the students' responses. The teacher should correct the students' mistakes or misunderstandings.
Advanced Preparation:
The teacher will need to ensure the classroom has the following:
1) internet connection (WiFi).
2) classroom set of computers, iPads, or smart devices. (If allowed students can use their own personal devices.)
Prior to the lesson, the teacher should be familiar with Desmos and should create a free class code for the activity. If the teacher does not have a Desmos account, he/she will need to create a free Desmos account. Prior to the lesson, the teacher may want to review the Pythagorean Theorem and altitude.
Variation Tips (optional):
Students could work in pairs to complete this activity. If students do not have access to a device, the activity could be done as a whole group activity. If using with a whole group, the teacher should have students write their answers on whiteboards or paper and check for mistakes.
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
ALCOS 2019
35. Discover and apply relationships in similar right triangles. a. Derive and apply the constant ratios of the sides in special right triangles (45˚-45˚-90˚ and 30˚-60˚-90˚). b. Use similarity to explore and define basic trigonometric ratios, including sine ratio, cosine ratio, and tangent ratio. c. Explain and use the relationship between the sine and cosine of complementary angles. d. Demonstrate the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem. e. Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems, including finding areas of regular polygons.
Keywords and Search Tags:
Pythagorean Theorem, Right Angle Trigonometry, Special Right Triangle Relationship