Right Triangle Trigonometry WebQuest

You took a summer job helping a local contractor paint the outside of buildings.  Your job is to paint the entire outside of the building, but you will need a ladder to do so.  However, your ladder cannot form more than a 75 degree angle with the ground.  Your boss is sending you to Lowes to get the right size ladder to complete the job, but what size ladder do you need?

Your task is to complete the following activities to practice using the trigonometric ratios to find missing side lengths in triangles.  Once you have mastered the technique, your job is to determine what size ladder you need to buy at the store to meet the requirements given to you by your boss (a maximum angle of elevation of 75 degrees and the height of the building).

Task 1: Visit the site https://www.mathsisfun.com/sine-cosine-tangent.html to revisit what we have already learned about the basic trig ratios for a right triangle.  After you have read through the information presented on this page and worked through the examples, complete the 10 question quiz at the bottom of the page and report your score to me when finished.  This task is to be completed individually by each member of the group.

Task 2:  View the YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZhwdYLAXKg and take notes about hown to use the sine, cosine, and tangent ratios to find missing side lengths in triangles.  Actually work through the examples and follow along to practice using the calculator and make sure you are getting the same answers as they are.  You may complete this individually or as a group - decide amongst your group members.  If you are having trouble following along, ask one of your group members for help before coming to me.

Task 3:  Go to the IXL site https://www.ixl.com/math/algebra-1/trigonometric-ratios-find-a-side-length and work through some practice problems on finding missing sides of triangles using the trig ratios as demonstrated in the video.  If you get the answer to a problem wrong, use the help that they provide and continue practicing.  You need to have 12 questions answered and show me this (including your score) before you move on to task 4.  This is to be completed individually by each member of the group.

Task 4:  Complete the challenge at https://www.ck12.org/assessment/tools/geometry-tool/plix.html?eId=MAT.TRG.101&questionId=5488a19e5aa41313d7402934&artifactID=1828400&backUrl=https://www.ck12.org/trigonometry/right-triangle-trigonometry/&plix_redirect=1#interactive&plix_redirect=1 with your group members.  Work through questions 1-5 on the computer.  When you get to question 6, you need to work together in your group to discuss how having a fixed ladder height will affect your ability to reach the top of the building.  Be sure to come up with a thoughtful and thorough answer, as this will be part of your presentation in task 5.

Task 5:  Come see me to get a building height for your group.  Work with your group to determine what size ladder you will need to buy at the store to be able to paint the entire building and earn your paycheck!  Remember, the ladder can form up to a 75 degree angle with the ground.  Any angle larger than this will be unsafe for you to climb up!   You will also need to determine how far away from the building that the ladder will need to sit to meet the 75 degree requirement.  Once you have come up with your results, your group will work together to present your findings and justify your answers to the rest of your class.

Math is Fun 10 question assessment - possible 10 points (based on number correct)

IXL 12 Practice Problems - scores between:

• 50-60 - 5 points

• 40-50 - 4 points

• 30-40 - 3 points

• 20-30 - 2 points

• 10-20 - 1 point

• 0-10 - 0 points

CK-12 Problems #1-5 - possible 5 points (based on number correct)

Answer to question 6 - how does a fixed ladder length affect the distance between the base of the ladder and the building and how does it affect possible heights you can reach up the building?

• Thoughtfully and thoroughly answers both parts of the question - 3 points

• Answered at least one of the two parts of the question somewhat thoroughly - 2 points

• Did not demonstrate a thoughtful answer for either of the questions - 1 point

• Did not answer the questions - 0 points

Found correct ladder length and distance from building based on the building height given and 75 degree angle regulation

• Found both correct answers with thorough explanations - 5 points

• Found both correct answers with no explanations - 4 points

• Found one correct answer with thorough explanation - 3 points

• Found one correct answer with no explanation - 2 points

• Found no correct answer but explained the process they took - 1 point

• Found no correct answer with no explanation - 0 points

Presentation:

• Creative presentation that is well-organized and displayed group collaboration - 3 points

• Presentation exhibits collaboration but does not quite cover all necessary material - 2 points

• Presentation covers some of the content necessary with little evidence of collaboration - 1 point

• Presentation does not cover necessary material with no evidence of collaborative group work - 0 points