This task is part of a series presenting important foundational geometric results …
This task is part of a series presenting important foundational geometric results and constructions which are fundamental for more elaborate arguments. They are presented without a real world context so as to see the important hypotheses and logical steps involved as clearly as possible.
In this math activity, learners classify polygons according to more than one …
In this math activity, learners classify polygons according to more than one property at a time. In the context of a game, learners move from a simple description of shapes to an analysis of how properties are related. This lesson guide includes sample steps in the game and extensions.
Students take a close look at truss structures, the geometric shapes that …
Students take a close look at truss structures, the geometric shapes that compose them, and the many variations seen in bridge designs in use every day. Through a guided worksheet, students draw assorted 2D and 3D polygon shapes and think through their forms and interior angles (mental “testing”) before and after load conditions are applied. They see how engineers add structural members to polygon shapes to support them under compression and tension, and how triangles provide the strongest elemental shape. A PowerPoint® presentation is provided. This lesson prepares students for two associated activities that continue the series on polygons and trusses.
Students learn about the role engineers play in designing and building truss …
Students learn about the role engineers play in designing and building truss structures. Simulating a real-world civil engineering challenge, student teams are tasked to create strong and unique truss structures for a local bridge. They design to address project constraints, including the requirement to incorporate three different polygon shapes, and follow the steps of the engineering design process. They use hot glue and Popsicle sticks to create their small-size bridge prototypes. After compressive load tests, they evaluate their results and redesign for improvement. They collect, graph and analyze before/after measurements of interior angles to investigate shape deformation. A PowerPoint® presentation, design worksheet and data collection sheet are provided. This activity is the final step in a series on polygons and trusses.
This lesson unit is intended to help teachers assess how well students …
This lesson unit is intended to help teachers assess how well students are able to: use the area of right triangles to deduce the areas of other shapes; use dissection methods for finding areas; organize an investigation systematically and collect data; deduce a generalizable method for finding lengths and areas (The Pythagorean Theorem.)
I use this activity to help students practice with quadrilateral attributes. It's …
I use this activity to help students practice with quadrilateral attributes. It's a memory game, so it makes it fun.There are two sets of cards. You can use one set at a time, or both sets together.
Studies how randomization can be used to make algorithms simpler and more …
Studies how randomization can be used to make algorithms simpler and more efficient via random sampling, random selection of witnesses, symmetry breaking, and Markov chains. Models of randomized computation. Data structures: hash tables, and skip lists. Graph algorithms: minimum spanning trees, shortest paths, and minimum cuts. Geometric algorithms: convex hulls, linear programming in fixed or arbitrary dimension. Approximate counting; parallel algorithms; online algorithms; derandomization techniques; and tools for probabilistic analysis of algorithms.
This task is a reasonably straight-forward application of rigid motion geometry, with …
This task is a reasonably straight-forward application of rigid motion geometry, with emphasis on ruler and straightedge constructions, and would be suitable for assessment purposes.
The goal of this task is to give students an opportunity to …
The goal of this task is to give students an opportunity to experiment with reflections of triangles on a coordinate grid. Students are not prompted in the question to list the coordinates of the different triangle vertices but this is a natural extension of the task.
The goal of this task is to give students experience applying and …
The goal of this task is to give students experience applying and reasoning about reflections of geometric figures using their growing understanding of the properties of rigid motions. In the case of reflecting a rectangle over a diagonal, the reflected image is still a rectangle and it shares two vertices with the original rectangle.
This activity is one in a series of tasks using rigid transformations …
This activity is one in a series of tasks using rigid transformations of the plane to explore symmetries of classes of triangles, with this task in particular focusing on the class of equilaterial triangles. In particular, the task has students link their intuitive notions of symmetries of a triangle with statements proving that the said triangle is unmoved by applying certain rigid transformations.
This task examines some of the properties of reflections of the plane …
This task examines some of the properties of reflections of the plane which preserve an equilateral triangle: these were introduced in ''Reflections and Isosceles Triangles'' and ''Reflection and Equilateral Triangles I''. The task gives students a chance to see the impact of these reflections on an explicit object and to see that the reflections do not always commute.
This activity is one in a series of tasks using rigid transformations …
This activity is one in a series of tasks using rigid transformations of the plane to explore symmetries of classes of triangles, with this task in particular focussing on the class of isosceles triangles.
This task presents students with some creative geometric ways to represent the …
This task presents students with some creative geometric ways to represent the fraction one half. The goal is both to appeal to students' visual intuition while also providing a hands on activity to decide whether or not two areas are equal.
This lesson unit is intended to help teachers assess how well students …
This lesson unit is intended to help teachers assess how well students are able to: recognize and visualize transformations of 2D shapes; and translate, reflect and rotate shapes, and combine these transformations. It also aims to encourage discussion on some common misconceptions about transformations.
This interactive activity adapted from the Wisconsin Online Resource Center challenges you …
This interactive activity adapted from the Wisconsin Online Resource Center challenges you to plan, measure, and calculate the correct amount of roofing material needed to reroof a house.
In this math meets physics game, learners pretend they are pilots of …
In this math meets physics game, learners pretend they are pilots of rescue helicopters and must fly their helicopters to the top of a mountain to rescue lost hikers. Learners first explore the four forces of flight: lift, drag, thrust, and weight. Before playing the game, learners conduct a probability experiment with spinners and record their results in tally tables and bar graphs. They then use their findings to select spinners with the greatest probability of helping them win the game. In a portion of the game, learners use ordered pairs to plot points on the coordinate plane to show their flight path.
This task provides a good opportunity to use isosceles triangles and their …
This task provides a good opportunity to use isosceles triangles and their properties to show an interesting and important result about triangles inscribed in a circle: the fact that these triangles are always right triangles is often referred to as Thales' theorem. It does not have a lot of formal prerequisites, just the knowledge that the sum of the three angles in a triangle is 180 degrees.
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