EngageNY
Construct an Equilateral Triangle (part 1)
Drawing circles isn't the only thing compasses are good for. In this first installment of a 36-part series, high schoolers learn how to draw equilateral triangles by investigating real-world situations, such as finding the location of a...
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Special Relationships Within Right Triangles—Dividing into Two Similar Sub-Triangles
Why are right triangles so special? Pupils begin their study of right triangles by examining similar right triangles. Verifying through proofs, scholars recognize the three similar right triangles formed by drawing the altitude. Once...
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...
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...
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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...
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.
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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
What Is Area?
What if I can no longer justify area by counting squares? Lead a class discussion to find the area of a rectangular region with irrational side lengths. The class continues on with the idea of lower approximations and...
EngageNY
Motion Along a Line – Search Robots Again
We can mathematically model the path of a robot. Learners use parametric equations to find the location of a robot at a given time. They compare the paths of multiple robots looking for parallel and perpendicular relationships and...
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,...
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Properties of Similarity Transformations
You can explain it, but can you do it? After learners view a sequence of transformations, the next logical step is creating the transformation. Challenge your classes to construct a composition of transformations and verify the...
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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...
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Properties of Area
What properties does area possess? Solidify the area properties that pupils learned in previous years. Groups investigate the five properties using four problems, which then provide the basis for a class discussion.
EngageNY
General Pyramids and Cones and Their Cross-Sections
Are pyramids and cones similar in definition to prisms and cylinders? By examining the definitions, pupils determine that pyramids and cones are subsets of general cones. Working in groups, they continue to investigate the relationships...
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The Angle Measure of an Arc
How do you find the measure of an arc? Learners first review relationships between central and inscribed angles. They then investigate the relationship between these angles and their intercepted arcs to extend the Inscribed Angle Theorem...
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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...
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Copy and Bisect an Angle
More constructions! In this third installment of a 36-part series, learners watch a YouTube video on creating door trim to see how to bisect an angle. They then investigate how to copy an angle by ordering a given list of steps.
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Special Lines in Triangles (part 2)
Medians, midsegments, altitudes, oh my! Pupils study the properties of the median of a triangle, initially examining a proof utilizing midsegments to determine the length ratio of a median. They then use the information to find missing...
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Similarity and the Angle Bisector Theorem
Identifying and verifying reproducible patterns in mathematics is an essential skill. Mathematicians identify the relationship of sides when an angle is bisected in a triangle. Once the pupils determine the relationship, they prove it to...
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Trigonometry and Complex Numbers
Complex numbers were first represented on the complex plane, now they are being represented using sine and cosine. Introduce the class to the polar form of a complex number with the 13th part of a 32-part series that defines the...
National Security Agency
What’s Your Coordinate?
Your middle schoolers will show what they know with their bodies when they become the coordinate plane in this conceptual development unit. Starting with the characteristics of the coordinate plane, learners develop their skills by...
EngageNY
End-of-Module Assessment Task: Grade 8 Module 5
Give your class a chance to show how much they've learned in the module with an end-of-module assessment task that covers all topics from the module including linear and non-linear functions and volumes of cones, cylinders, and...
Virginia Department of Education
Lines and Angles
Explore angle relationships associated with transversals. Pupils construct parallel lines with a transversal and find the measures of the angles formed. They figure out how the different angles are related before constructing...
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Fundamental Theorem of Similarity (FTS)
How do dilated line segments relate? Lead the class in an activity to determine the relationship between line segments and their dilated images. In the fourth section in a unit of 16, pupils discover the dilated line...