Shape

Challenge: Three sides – Three Angles

This challenge problem provides a context in which to investigate the question, “Given a particular set of segments and/or angles, is it always possible to construct a triangle?

Materials needed: 3 dice or random number generator

Angle Spinner or random number generator

Organizing tables 1.1A and 1.1B

Part I

Roll all three dice. Use these numbers as centimeter measures of the three sides of a triangle. With these three measurements can you create a triangle? Repeat 6 times.

	Measure of Side 1	Measure of Side 2	Measure of Side 3	Triangle? Yes or no	Drawings
Possibility 1
Possibility 2
Possibility 3
Possibility 4
Possibility 5
Possibility 6

Organizing Table 1.1A

· Were you successful with all possibilities? Why or why not? Explain.

· Was everyone in your group successful with all possibilities? What conjectures can you and your group make about the sides of triangles?

Part II

Spin the Angle Spinner three times. Use measures of the three angles of a triangle. With these three measurements can you create a triangle? Repeat 6 times.

Spinner Template

	Measure Angle 1	Measure Angle 2	Measure Angle 3	Triangle? Yes or no	Drawings
Possibility 1
Possibility 2
Possibility 3
Possibility 4
Possibility 5
Possibility 6

Organizing Table 1.1B

· Were you successful with all 6 possibilities? Why or why not? Explain.

· Was everyone in your group successful with all possibilities? What conjectures can you and your group make about the angles of triangles?