MODELING RIGHT TRIANGLES

DESCRIPTION:

Modeling by use of right triangle relationships.

GRADE LEVEL - SUBJECT

9th Grade - Algebra

TIME FRAME:

Two class periods

OBJECTIVES:

  1. To use right triangle relationships to determine distances in space.

MATERIALS:

  1. Paper and pencils
  2. Ruler
  3. Compass

    INSTRUCTION:

    1. Students will be given three points of the earth's surface (E, P and Q) and one point at the edge of the moon (M).
    2. The students will be instructed to draw a right triangle through these points.
    3. The students will be given the formula for distance between the earth and the moon as: cos E=EP/EM
    4. The students will be given the distance from point P to point E to point Q, as well as, the measurement of the angle formed by QE. The students will be told that they will need to subtract EQ form EM to find the actual distance form surface to surface since E is the center of the earth and Q is on the surface.
    5. Students will be instructed to find the distances between other bodies using this method.
    Aviation Group - AVIATION ACADEMY 2000
    Wooddale High School - Memphis, TN 38118