Curated OER
Mt. Whitney to Death Valley
This is an intriguing problem that brings together real-world data, technology, and mathematical problem solving. If visibility wasn't an issue, could you see from the highest point in the lower 48 states, Mt. Whitney, to the lowest...
Concord Consortium
Outward Bound
Just how far can I see? The short assessment question uses the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance to the horizon from a given altitude. Scholars use the relationship of a tangent segment and the radius of a circle to find the...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 4: Similarity and Right Triangle Trigonometry
Right you are to use a great resource. Starting with a lesson on dilations, scholars learn about similarity transformations and similar triangles. They use the knowledge to develop an understanding of right triangle trigonometry in later...
CCSS Math Activities
Smarter Balanced Sample Items: High School Math – Target O
Trigger an increased understanding of trigonometry. Young mathematicians answer a set of questions that require finding trigonometric ratios using similarity and solving real-world problems involving trigonometry. The questions all come...
101 Questions
Marine Ramp
Boat ramps move with waves and changes in water level. Scholars decide on the proper length for a ramp so the angle connecting both sides is appropriate. They visualize the situation and use a simulation to view the results with their...
Yummy Math
Parametric Equations and a Heart
Trigonometry, art, and Valentine's Day come together in a creative activity about parametric equations. Learners calculate several equations before graphing them either by hand, on a graphic calculator, or Excel spreadsheet to curve...
Alabama Learning Exchange
"I Saw the Sine"
Discover trigonometric ratios that complement each other. Using two videos, the lesson introduces the trigonometric ratios. The class discovers the relationship between the sine and cosine of complementary angles.
CK-12 Foundation
Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Functions: Lighthouse
How far is that boat from the lighthouse? Scholars create diagrams to represent a scenario given the angle of depreciation from a lighthouse to a boat. Learners apply the basic trigonometric functions to find various distances stemming...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Modeling Motion: Rolling Cups
Connect the size of a rolling cup to the size of circle it makes. Pupils view videos of cups of different sizes rolling in a circle. Using the videos and additional data, they attempt to determine a relationship between cup measurements...
Inside Mathematics
Hopewell Geometry
The Hopewell people of the central Ohio Valley used right triangles in the construction of earthworks. Pupils use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine missing dimensions of right triangles used by the Hopewell people. The assessment task...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Solving Problems with Circles and Triangles
After completing a task involving examining the ratio of areas of triangles and circles in a given figure, scholars examine sample responses to identify other strategies they could use to solve the problem.
EngageNY
Applying the Laws of Sines and Cosines
Breaking the law in math doesn't get you jail time, but it does get you a wrong answer! After developing the Law of Sines and Cosines in lesson 33 of 36, the resource asks learners to apply the laws to different situations. Pupils must...
EngageNY
End-of-Module Assessment Task - Geometry (module 2)
Increase the level of assessment rigor with the test of performance tasks. Topics include similar triangles, trigonometric ratios, Law of Sines, Law of Cosines, and trigonometric problem solving.
EngageNY
Unknown Angles
How do you solve an equation like trigonometry? Learners apply their understanding of trigonometric ratios to find unknown angles in right triangles. They learn the meaning of arcsine, arccosine, and arctangent. Problems include basic...
EngageNY
Using Trigonometry to Find Side Lengths of an Acute Triangle
Not all triangles are right! Pupils learn to tackle non-right triangles using the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines. After using the two laws, they then apply them to word problems.
EngageNY
Using Trigonometry to Determine Area
What do you do when you don't think you have enough information? You look for another way to do the problem! Pupils combine what they know about finding the area of a triangle and trigonometry to determine triangle area when they don't...
EngageNY
Trigonometry and the Pythagorean Theorem
Ancient Egyptians sure knew their trigonometry! Pupils learn how the pyramid architects applied right triangle trigonometry. When comparing the Pythagorean theorem to the trigonometric ratios, they learn an important connection that...
EngageNY
Applying Tangents
What does geometry have to do with depression? It's an angle of course! Learners apply the tangent ratio to problem solving questions by finding missing lengths. Problems include angles of elevation and angles of depression. Pupils make...
EngageNY
Sine and Cosine of Complementary Angles and Special Angles
Building trigonometric basics here will last a mathematical lifetime. Learners expand on the previous lesson in a 36-part series by examining relationships between the sine and cosine of complementary angles. They also review the ratios...
EngageNY
The Definition of Sine, Cosine, and Tangent
Introduce your classes to a new world of mathematics. Pupils learn to call trigonometric ratios by their given names: sine, cosine, and tangent. They find ratios and use known ratios to discover missing sides of similar triangles.
EngageNY
Solving Problems Using Sine and Cosine
Concepts are only valuable if they are applicable. An informative resource uses concepts developed in lessons 26 and 27 in a 36-part series. Scholars write equations and solve for missing side lengths for given right triangles. When...
EngageNY
Incredibly Useful Ratios
Start the exploration of trigonometry off right! Pupils build on their understanding of similarity in this lesson plan that introduces the three trigonometric ratios. They first learn to identify opposite and adjacent...
University of Adeaide
Basic Trigonometry and Radians
A fabulous set of examples and problems that introduce basic trigonometry concepts, this packet is set apart by the care it takes to integrate both radians and degrees into the material. After defining radians, the author demonstrates...
Project Maths
Introduction to Trigonometry
The topic of trigonometric ratios is often covered with loads of rote memorization baked into the activity. This activity set, however, leans more on using similar triangles and discovery learning to help young geometers develop a deeper...