Triangles

In this unit, we will talk about triangles and some of the cool things that go along with it!  In this activity, we will work in groups of 4 and evaluate how to solve for sides of triangles, and some of the history behind it.  Is everyone ready to go back in time and look at triangles and how to solve for them? Then let's move on and begin! 

Task 1

You will go back in time and identify some of the key historical figures in how calculations for triangles happened, and then put their work into practice!  I want you to investigate Euclidean Geometry, Pascal, Pythagoras and 2 more historical figures of your choice!  I want you to write down 1 question that you would ask each of these people after you have done your research!  

Task 2

We are going to talk about the Pythagorean Theorem today, which you should have seen in your research about Pythagoras.  Let's look at the Pythagorean Theorem, where you can find out the hypotenuse of a triangle!  I wish for you to draw a triangle with legs 3,4, and a right angle in between them as well as 7, 24 and a right angle in between those sides.  Draw your figure and then practice solving!

Please use these websites to investigate the mathematicians that were involved in geometric shapes.

https://www.biography.com/people/blaise-pascal-9434176

https://www.britannica.com/science/Euclidean-geometry

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pythagoras

Please do the practice problems on Khan Academy to ensure your knowledge of the Pythagorean Theorem.

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/basic-geo/basic-geometry-pythagorean-theorem/geo-pythagorean-theorem/e/pythagorean_theorem_1

1. List 3 influential mathematicians who worked in geometry and what they accomplished.

2.  Create 3 triangles that can be solved using the Pythagorean theorem and present them to the class to solve.

3. Write a letter to a mathematician that you listed and talk about how his discoveries have helped mathematics today.

The objectives of this lesson were to understand more about the premise of mathematics and to understand how to use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for an individual side of a triangle. 

Credits to Brittanica and Biography.com for information about historical figures in geometry.  Credit to Khan Academy for the information about Pythagorean Theorem.