Shape 

Copyright David & Cynthia Thomas, 2009

 

Sides, Angles, Interior Lines & Points--Directed Activity: Pythagorean Theorem

  

The directed activities in this section provide a context in which to investigate the question

·        What relationships exist between the sides, angles, and interior lines and points of a given triangle?

                                                                          

Focus

Investigate the Pythagorean relationship.

Technologies

·        Paper & pencil

·        Pythagorean Theorem (National Library of Virtual Manipulatives) http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/frames_asid_164_g_1_t_3.html

·        Understanding the Pythagorean Relationship Using Interactive Figures

http://standards.nctm.org/document/eexamples/chap6/6.5/

·        Pythagorean Theorem and its Many Proofs

·        http://www.cut-the-knot.org/pythagoras/index.shtml

Background

Figure 2.13:  3-4-5 Pythagorean Triangle

 

Tasks

·        Explain the relationship between the algebraic formula  and the object in Figure 2.13.

·        Sketch two other objects that illustrate the same relationship.