The Pythagorean Theorem

Introduction

In this lesson students will learn how to use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance between two points. Students will learn the relatioship between angles and sides in a right triangle.

Task

In this lesson students will learn:

• The equation of the Pythagorean Theorem
• How to find the unknown legnths of sides and angles from plugging in the known into the equation
• How to use the equation to solve word problems

Process

• Students will watch the intro video of what the Pythagorean Theorem is.     https://www.khanacademy.org/math/basic-geo/basic-geo-pythagorean-topic/basic-geo-pythagorean-theorem/v/the-pythagorean-theorem
• Students will draw both right triangles and equilateral triangles to show which triangles the Theorem works for
• Students will be given two known lengths and have to use the Theorem to find the unknown length
• Students will be given two known lengths and have to use the Theorem to find the unknown angle
• Students will watch the video about using the Pythagorean Theorem to solve word problems https://www.khanacademy.org/math/basic-geo/basic-geo-pythagorean-topic/basic-geo-pythagorean-theorem/v/pythagorean-theorem-1
• Students will be given sample word problems to solve 

Evaluation

                          Beginner-1           Intermediate-2          Master-3           Score

Is the student               Memorize the               The student is able to          The student is

able to produce             equation.                    complete the formula           able to give the 

the Pythagorean                                            with some already given.      equation with no aid.

Theorem?

Is the student               Explain the                  The student is able to           The student is able

able to insert                relatiosnhips                identify which segment is       to identify a, b, and 

known in the                between the line           a, b, and c with many           c with little knowns

equation?                    segments.                   knowns given.                      given.

Is the student               Draw a diagram           The student is able to            Student is confident to            

able to transform           of the known              insert given information         insert knowns in the 

a word problem             information.               with little assistance.             equation with no aid.

into a math equation?

                                                                         You Did It!!!

Congratulations! You are now able to use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve the unknown lengths of line segments and the unknown degrees of angles! You also are able to solve word problems using the Pythagorean Theorem. Next week we will learn how to find the volume of cylinders. 

Credits

• https://www.khanacademy.org/math/basic-geo/basic-geo-pythagorean-topic/…
• https://www.khanacademy.org/math/basic-geo/basic-geo-pythagorean-topic/…
• http://questgarden.com/187/72/9/160316134128/index.htm
• http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/acre/standards/common-core/standards-k-…

Teacher's Page

Target Age Group: 8th Grade

Standards: 8.G.7 Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths in right triangles in realworld and mathematical problems in two and three dimensions. 8.G.8 Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance between two points in a coordinate system.