• Printer Friendly Version
• Send to a Friend
• Add to My ePortfolio

Subject

Math, Science & Technology

Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Identify the right angle, hypotenuse and legs of a right triangle.
• Explore the relationship between the lengths of the three sides of a right triangle using the area formulas of squares in a hands-on activity using manipulatives.
• Use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the unknown length of a hypotenuse of a right triangle by completing the homework assignment.

Duration

2 (40-minute) class periods

Description

In this lesson students will discover the Pythagorean Theorem. Students will also use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve real life problems.

Website(s)

PBS-Pythagorean Puzzle
PBS-Pythagorean Puzzle ~ Shockwave Version

Materials

• SMART Board
• Internet-connected computer
• Scissors


• Questions of the Day
• Right Triangle Problems #1


• Questions of the Day.pdf

Procedure

1. As students enter the classroom, have them begin the "Question of the Day" activity.
2. Distribute the worksheet titled "Pythagorean Theorem Investigation #1".
   Ask the students to:
   • Locate the right triangle and state the measurement of the legs.
   • Find the area of each leg.
   • Discover the length of the hypotenuse by cutting out the areas of the two legs.
3. Observe this discovery lesson on the PBS-Pythagorean Puzzle website (Shockwave version).
4. Provide the students with examples where the student will find the hypotenuse given the measurement of right triangles, using the "Right Triangle Problems #1" worksheet.
5. Use the website to show real-life situations involving a baseball field and ladders leaning on a house
6. Assign the "Pythagorean Theorem Worksheet #1" as homework.

SMART Board

This instructional content was intended for use with a SMART Board. The .xbk file above can only be opened with SMART Notebook software. To download this free software from the SMART Technologies website, please click here.

Related Academic Standards

New York State

8.G.7 Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths in right triangles in real-world and mathematical problems in two and three dimensions.

MST3.7.G.5 Students identify the right angle, hypotenuse, and legs of a right triangle.

MST3.7.G.6 Students explore the relationship between the lengths of the three sides of a right triangle to develop the Pythagorean Theorem.

MST3.7.G.8 Students use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the unknown length of a side of a right triangle.

MST3.7.G.9 Students determine whether a given triangle is a right triangle by applying the Pythagorean Theorem and using a calculator.