EngageNY
Triangle Congruency Proofs (part 2)
Looking to challenge your students that have mastered basic triangle congruence proofs? A collection of proofs employ previously learned definitions, theorems, and properties. Pupils draw on their past experiences with proofs to...
EngageNY
Triangle Congruency Proofs (part 1)
Can they put it all together? Ninth graders apply what they know about proofs and triangle congruence to complete these proofs. These proofs go beyond the basic triangle congruence proofs and use various properties, theorems, and...
EngageNY
Informal Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem
Prove the Pythagorean Theorem using multiple informal proofs. Scholars first develop an understanding of the origins of the Pythagorean Theorem through proofs. They round out the lesson plan by using the theorem to find missing side...
EngageNY
Comparing the Ratio Method with the Parallel Method
Can you prove it? Lead your class through the development of the Side Splitter Theorem through proofs. Individuals connect the ratio and parallel method of dilation through an exploration of two proofs. After completing the proofs,...
EngageNY
Informal Proof of AA Criterion for Similarity
What does it take to show two triangles are similar? The 11th segment in a series of 16 introduces the AA Criterion for Similarity. A discussion provides an informal proof of the theorem. Exercises and problems require scholars to apply...
EngageNY
Unknown Angle Proofs—Proofs with Constructions
Provide your emerging mathematicians with the tools to learn as they incorporate auxiliary lines to solve unknown angle proofs in this continuing segment. They decipher information from a diagram to uncover the missing pieces and...
Illustrative Mathematics
Shortest Line Segment from a Point P to a Line L
One of the hardest skills for many young geometers to grasp is to move beyond just declaring obvious things true, and really returning to fundamental principles for proof. This brief exercise stretches those proving muscles as the class...
EngageNY
Unknown Angle Proofs—Writing Proofs
What do Sherlock Holmes and geometry have in common? Why, it is a matter of deductive reasoning as the class learns how to justify each step of a problem. Pupils then present a known fact to ensure that their decision is correct.
EngageNY
Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem
What does similarity have to do with the Pythagorean Theorem? The activity steps through the proof of the Pythagorean Theorem by using similar triangles. Next, the teacher leads a discussion of the proof and follows it by an animated...
EngageNY
The Power of Algebra—Finding Pythagorean Triples
The Pythagorean Theorem makes an appearance yet again in this lesson on polynomial identities. Learners prove a method for finding Pythagorean triples by applying the difference of squares identity.
EngageNY
Unknown Angle Proofs—Proofs of Known Facts
Lead the class in a Greek history activity with a geometric twist. Pupils relate a short video about geometric properties to modern-day methods of solving for unknown angles. They discuss parallel line theorems and complete practice...
EngageNY
Analytic Proofs of Theorems Previously Proved by Synthetic Means
Prove theorems through an analysis. Learners find the midpoint of each side of a triangle, draw the medians, and find the centroid. They then examine the location of the centroid on each median discovering there is a 1:2 relationship....
Curated OER
Discovering Math: Concepts in Geometry
Middle and high schoolers explore the concept of proving the Pythagorean Theorem. They research proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem. Pupils create posters of proofs, and research Greek mathematicians.
EngageNY
Mid-Module Assessment Task - Geometry (Module 1)
How do you prepare class members for the analytical thinking they will need in the real world? An assessment requires the higher order thinking they need to be successful. The module focuses on the concept of rigid transformations...
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...
Virginia Department of Education
Circles in the Coordinate Plane
Make the connection between the distance formula and the equation of a circle. The teacher presents a lesson on how to use the distance formula to derive the equation of the circle. Pupils transform circles on the coordinate plane and...
Curated OER
TI Workshop Presentation Guide for "Preparing for Proofs"
Pupils discover proofs using the TI in this geometry lesson. They collect data from newspaper and magazines and analyze their data using the TI, relating it to proofs.
Curated OER
Getting It Right! An Investigation of the Pythagorean Theorem
Learners construct a variety of right triangles using a right-angled set square, cutting corners from pieces of paper or cardboard, and using dynamic geometry software. They measure the sides of these various right triangles and record...
EngageNY
Solve for Unknown Angles—Angles and Lines at a Point
How do you solve for an unknown angle? For this sixth installment of a 36-part series, young mathematicians use concepts learned in middle school geometry to set up and solve linear equations to find angle measures.
EngageNY
Properties of Parallelograms
Everyone knows that opposite sides of a parallelogram are congruent, but can you prove it? Challenge pupils to use triangle congruence to prove properties of quadrilaterals. Learners complete formal two-column proofs before moving on to...
EngageNY
Looking More Carefully at Parallel Lines
Can you prove it? Making assumptions in geometry is commonplace. This resource requires mathematicians to prove the parallel line postulate through constructions. Learners construct parallel lines with a 180-degree rotation and then...
EngageNY
Base Angles of Isosceles Triangles
Build confidence in proofs by proving a known property. Pupils explore two approaches to proving base angles of isosceles triangles are congruent: transformations and SAS. They then apply their understanding of the proof to more complex...
EngageNY
Ptolemy's Theorem
Everyone's heard of Pythagoras, but who's Ptolemy? Learners test Ptolemy's Theorem using a specific cyclic quadrilateral and a ruler in the 22nd installment of a 23-part module. They then work through a proof of the theorem.
EngageNY
Thales’ Theorem
Isn't paper pushing supposed to be boring? Learners attempt a paper-pushing puzzle to develop ideas about angles inscribed on a diameter of a circle. Learners then formalize Thales' theorem and use geometric properties to develop a proof...