Model a bicycle chain with circles and tangent lines. Given the dimensions of the sprocket wheels, young scholars calculate the length of the chain that surrounds them. A second task has learners write a function for the length of a chain given any radius length.

Concepts

circumference, radius, tangent lines

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

math

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Incorporate as a performance task during a unit on circles
• Create collaborative groups to encourage mathematical discussion

Classroom Considerations

• Expects an understanding of the relationship between circles and the lines tangent to them

Pros

• Encourages higher order thinking strategies
• Incorporates several geometric concepts

Cons

• None

Common Core

HSG-C.A.2