EngageNY
Writing the Equation for a Circle
Circles aren't functions, so how is it possible to write the equation for a circle? Pupils first develop the equation of a circle through application of the Pythagorean Theorem. The activity then provides an exercise set for learners to...
EngageNY
Similar Triangles in Circle-Secant (or Circle-Secant-Tangent) Diagrams
First angle measures, now segment lengths. High schoolers first measure segments formed by secants that intersect interior to a circle, secants that intersect exterior to a circle, and a secant and a tangent that intersect exterior to a...
EngageNY
Rectangles Inscribed in Circles
Putting a rectangular object into a circular one—didn't the astronauts on Apollo 13 have to do something like this? Learners first construct the center of a circle using perpendiculars. They then discover how to inscribe a rectangle in a...
Illustrative Mathematics
The Geometry of Letters
Use the alphabet as a tool for teaching your class about geometric figures. Break apart capital letters into line segments and arcs. Classify angles as right, acute, or obtuse. Identify parallel and perpendicular lines. An excellent...
EngageNY
Tangent Segments
What's so special about tangents? Learners first explore how if a circle is tangent to both rays of an angle, then its center is on the angle bisector. They then complete a set of exercises designed to explore further properties and...
EngageNY
Circles, Chords, Diameters, and Their Relationships
A diameter is the longest chord possible, but that's not the only relationship between chords and diameters! Young geometry pupils construct perpendicular bisectors of chords to develop a conjecture about the relationships between chords...
EngageNY
Equations for Tangent Lines to Circles
Don't go off on a tangent while writing equations of tangent lines! Scholars determine the equations for tangent lines to circles. They attempt both concrete and abstract examples, such as a tangent line to the unit circle through...
EngageNY
Construct a Square and a Nine-Point Circle
Anyone can draw a square, but can you CONSTRUCT a square? Here is a resource that challenges math scholars to create steps to finish their own construction. They test their ability to read and follow directions to complete a construction...
Dick Blick Art Materials
Start with a Circle...
The Golden Ratio. The Divine Proportion. Yup. It's math and art blended into one colorful activity. Young artists combine colored tissue paper circles and parts of circles to create geometric patterns. As a bonus, kids get to figure out...
Curated OER
Tangent Lines and the Radius of a Circle
Your Geometry learners will collaboratively prove that the tangent line of a circle is perpendicular to the radius of the circle. A deliberately sparse introduction allows for a variety of approaches to find a solution.
Virginia Department of Education
Angles, Arcs, and Segments in Circles
Investigate relationships between angles, arcs, and segments in circles. Pupils use geometry software to discover the relationships between angles, arcs, and segments associated with circles. Class members use similar triangles to...
Illustrative Mathematics
Stained Glass
A complex question looking for the total cost of a stained glass window by calculating area and circumference of a circle. With detailed components, this activity will challenge your designers to figure out if they have enough money to...
Curated OER
Perpendicular Segments in a Circle
High schoolers explore the concept of circles as they construct a circle using a program such as Cabri Jr. Learners construct a chord and a diameter that are perpendicular, then measure the bisected chord and notice that both sides of...
Curated OER
Segments Formed by Intersectiong Chords, Secants, and Tangents
Learners investigate the properties of segments formed which chords, secants, and tangents, intersect. The dynamic nature of Cabri Jr. allows high schoolers to form and verify conjectures regarding segment relationships.
Curated OER
Altitudes and Orthocenters: Making Connections to the Nine-Point Circle
Students practice various equations for constructing nine-point circles for triangles.
EngageNY
Construct a Nine-Point Circle
There are an infinite number of points on a circle; can you find nine of them? After putting together a nine-point circle, pupils use constructions and their knowledge of triangle segments to determine the center of the circle. Learners...
Illustrative Mathematics
Two Wheels and a Belt
Geometry gets an engineering treatment in an exercise involving a belt wrapped around two wheels of different dimensions. Along with the wheels, this belt problem connects concepts of right triangles, tangent lines, arc length, and...
EngageNY
Curves from Geometry
Take a another look at ellipses. The seventh segment in a series of 23 in a Precalculus module continues to investigate the graph and equation of an ellipse from the previous lesson. Scholars investigate the fact that the sum of...
Curated OER
Geometry in the Real World
Eighth graders complete a unit of lessons on basic geometry concepts. They participate in a variety of activities, culminating in a project that involves publishing a booklet or a poster that presents the major geometry concepts from the...
Curated OER
Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles and Related
Students classify angles. In this angles lesson, students explore the characteristics of angles, triangles, quadrilaterals and circles. They identify polygons and sing a classifying angles song. Students participate in a manipulative...
Curated OER
Identify Polygons: Algebra/Geometry Institute
Eighth graders classify geometric figures. In this polygon lesson, 8th graders identify given geometric figures. They compare and contrast different polygons. Students name line segments, identify parallel lines, and...
EngageNY
Properties of Tangents
You know about the tangent function, but what are tangent lines to a circle? Learners investigate properties of tangents through constructions. They determine that tangents are perpendicular to the radius at the point of tangency,...
Curated OER
Exploring Harmonic Conjugates
High schoolers investigate harmonic conjugates using Cabri Software or the Ti Calculator to analyze harmonics. They explore different angles measurements as they move their circles around and solve problems.
Curated OER
Dividing Line Segments into n Congruent Parts
Students identify lines, and line segments. In this geometry lesson plan, students divide line segments into equal congruent parts. They complete a laboratory activity dealing with lines and segments.