Curated OER
Triangle Similarity
In this triangle similarity learning exercise, 10th graders solve and complete 12 different problems that include defining similar and 3 similar statements using only sides and angles. First, they determine if each pair of triangles...
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
The Angle-Angle (AA) Criterion for Two Triangles to Be Similar
What do you need to prove triangles are similar? Learners answer this question through a construction exploration. Once they establish the criteria, they use the congruence and proportionality properties of similar objects to find...
Virginia Department of Education
Similar Triangles
Pupils work in pairs to investigate what it takes to prove that two triangles are similar. They work through various shortcuts to find which are enough to show a similarity relationship between the triangles. Small groups work with the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Similar Triangles
Proving triangles are similar is often an exercise in applying one of the many theorems young geometers memorize, like the AA similarity criteria. But proving that the criteria themselves are valid from basic principles is a great...
EngageNY
More About Similar Triangles
Determine whether two triangles are similar. The lesson presents opportunities for pupils to find the criterion needed to show that two triangles are similar. Scholars use the definition of similarity to find any missing side...
EngageNY
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem for Solving Right Triangles: Solving the Triangle
Observe the change in the trigonometric ratios as angles vary. An interactive provides the values of trigonometric ratios for both acute angles in a right triangle. Pupils create a right triangle to match given criteria and find the...
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem to Classify Triangles: Missing Angles
Learn to use the Pythagorean Theorem with non-right triangles. Pupils use the interactive to discover the relationship between the lengths of sides for acute and obtuse triangles. They compare the squares of the sides of the triangles to...
CK-12 Foundation
Lengths of Sides in Isosceles Right Triangles: Paper Football
Fuse sports and geometry by having your class create paper footballs—that are actually isosceles right triangles! Scholars use an interactive to create an isosceles right triangle to model a paper football. From the information in the...
CK-12 Foundation
Lengths of Triangle Sides Using the Pythagorean Theorem: Find the Missing Side
What is the relationship between the sides of a right triangle? Learners use an interactive to create models of right triangles and view the relationship between the lengths of the sides. They finish by using the Pythagorean Theorem to...
CK-12 Foundation
Relationships of Sides in 30-60-90 Right Triangles: Truck on a Mountain Road
Determine the change in elevation on a mountain road. Individuals use the interactive to simulate a truck driving up a mountain road with a 30-degree incline. They determine missing sides of a 30-60 right triangle to find horizontal and...
CK-12 Foundation
Alternate Formula for the Area of a Triangle: Alternate Area of a Triangle
It's always nice to have a plan B. Pupils investigate an alternate formula for the area of a triangle that uses sine. A set of challenge questions shows how the new formula relates to the well-known formula of (1/2)bh.
CK-12 Foundation
Pascal's Triangle: Pyramid Blocks
Build a pyramid of sums. An interactive presents the first five rows of Pascal's Triangle as a pyramid. Pupils match missing entries in the pyramid and continue the pattern to determine entries of other rows. The learners use the entries...
Virginia Department of Education
Special Right Triangles and Right Triangle Trigonometry
Right triangles are so special! Use special right triangles to discover the trigonometric ratios. Pairs construct special right triangles and find the values of the ratios of the sides. In the process, they discover the ratios stay the...
CK-12 Foundation
Special Triangle Ratios: Special Right Triangle Ratios
Go from one side length to any other side length with special right triangles. Individuals use the interactive to investigate the ratio of sides in 45-45 and 30-60 right triangles. Scholars make generalizations about the types of special...
CK-12 Foundation
Determination of Unknown Triangle Measures Given Area: Jib Sheets
Solving triangles is a breeze. Young boat enthusiasts solve problems involving triangles in the context of sails on a boat. They must apply different strategies, including the Law of Cosines and area formulas.
CK-12 Foundation
Right Triangles, Bearings, and Other Applications: Sailing Race
Help your class get their bearings when it comes to right triangles. Pupils determine distances traveled or components given the bearing of a sailboat using an interactive. The scholars develop a sense of finding the bearings of a given...
CK-12 Foundation
Distance Formula: Right Triangles
Go the distance with a far out resource. Individuals use an interactive to create right triangles on a coordinate plane to help find distance between two points. Challenge questions aid them in developing the distance formula.
CK-12 Foundation
Angle-Angle-Side Triangles: Garden Gate
Good fences make good gardens. Individuals use an interactive to see how angles and sides relate in a triangular-shaped garden fence. They apply the Law of Sines to find the length of the garden gate (third side of triangle) given two...
CK-12 Foundation
Possible Triangles with Side-Side-Angle
It's not often that math allows for multiple answers. Young mathematicians identify possible numbers of triangles when given two sides and a non-included angle. An interactive helps with this investigation.
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Trigonometric Functions and Angles of Rotation: The Triangle in the Circle
Go around the unit circle and create triangles. Pupils move a point around the unit circles to visualize the triangle associated with the angle in standard position. The three main trigonometric functions are defined in terms of the legs...
CK-12 Foundation
Identifying Sets of Pythagorean Triples: Matching Problem
What sets of whole numbers make up the measures of side lengths in right triangles? Pupils use an interactive triangle to learn about Pythagorean triples. Individuals find missing values in triples and learn more about Pythagorean...