An interactive applet and associated web page that provide step-by-step animated instructions on how to construct an isosceles triangle with given sides using only a compass and straightedge. The animation can be run either continuously like a video, or single stepped to allow classroom discussion and thought between steps. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Students learn about catapults, including the science and math concepts behind them, as they prepare for the associated activity in which they design, build and test their own catapults. They learn about force, accuracy, precision and angles.

Students explore in detail how the Romans built aqueducts using arches—and the geometry involved in doing so. Building on what they learned in the associated lesson about how innovative Roman arches enabled the creation of magnificent structures such as aqueducts, students use trigonometry to complete worksheet problem calculations to determine semicircular arch construction details using trapezoidal-shaped and cube-shaped blocks. Then student groups use hot glue and half-inch wooden cube blocks to build model aqueducts, doing all the calculations to design and build the arches necessary to support a water-carrying channel over a three-foot span. They calculate the slope of the small-sized aqueduct based on what was typical for Roman aqueducts at the time, aiming to construct the ideal slope over a specified distance in order to achieve a water flow that is not spilling over or stagnant. They test their model aqueducts with water and then reflect on their performance.

A web page and interactive applet illustrating the medians of a triangle. The applet shows a triangle where the user can drag the vertices to reshape it. As the triangle is being reshaped, the user can see the three median lines tracking the changes, and observe that that all three always intersect at a point inside the triangle. The page text explains that this point of intersection is also the centroid of the triangle, and explains how to determine the location of the medians. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate the three types of triangle: acute, obtuse and right. The applet shows a triangle that is initially obtuse (one angle greater than 90 degrees) which the user can reshape by dragging any vertex. There is a message changes in real time while the triangle is being dragged that tells if the triangle is an acute, right or obtuse triangle and gives the reason why. By experimenting with the triangle student can develop an intuitive sense of the difference between these three classes of triangle. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

The lesson begins by introducing Olympics as the unit theme. The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the techniques of engineering problem solving. Specific techniques covered in the lesson include brainstorming and the engineering design process. The importance of thinking out of the box is also stressed to show that while some tasks seem impossible, they can be done. This introduction includes a discussion of the engineering required to build grand, often complex, Olympic event centers.

A web page and interactive applet demonstrating the concept of the orthocenter of a triangle. The applet shows a triangle where the user can drag the vertices around. The orthocenter and the altitude lines that generate it are continuously moved as the user drags the vertices. By experimentation the user can observe that the orthocenter can be inside or outside the triangle. The page text explains the definition of the orthocenter and how to find it. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

A web page and interactive applet show how to compute the perimeter of a triangle. A triangle is shown that can be resized by dragging its vertices. As you drag, the perimeter is continuously recalculated. Text on the page explains that the perimeter is the sum of the sides. For those who prefer it, in a formula that is given. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference interactive geometry reference book project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Students take a close look at truss structures, the geometric shapes that compose them, and the many variations seen in bridge designs in use every day. Through a guided worksheet, students draw assorted 2D and 3D polygon shapes and think through their forms and interior angles (mental “testing”) before and after load conditions are applied. They see how engineers add structural members to polygon shapes to support them under compression and tension, and how triangles provide the strongest elemental shape. A PowerPoint® presentation is provided. This lesson prepares students for two associated activities that continue the series on polygons and trusses.

Students learn about the role engineers play in designing and building truss structures. Simulating a real-world civil engineering challenge, student teams are tasked to create strong and unique truss structures for a local bridge. They design to address project constraints, including the requirement to incorporate three different polygon shapes, and follow the steps of the engineering design process. They use hot glue and Popsicle sticks to create their small-size bridge prototypes. After compressive load tests, they evaluate their results and redesign for improvement. They collect, graph and analyze before/after measurements of interior angles to investigate shape deformation. A PowerPoint® presentation, design worksheet and data collection sheet are provided. This activity is the final step in a series on polygons and trusses.

An interactive applet and associated web page that illustrate Pythagoras' Theorem. The applet shows a right triangle that can be resized by dragging any vertex. As it is being dragged the formula is continuously recalculated to show that the the theorem always holds for any right triangle. The formula can be turned off to facilitate classroom discussions. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

An interactive applet and associated web page that show the relationship between the perimeter and area of a triangle. It shows that a triangle with a constant perimeter does NOT have a constant area. The applet has a triangle with one vertex draggable and a constant perimeter. As you drag the vertex, it is clear that the area varies, even though the perimeter is constant. Optionally, you can see the path traced by the dragged vertex and see that it forms an ellipse. A link takes you to a page where this effect is exploited to construct an ellipse with string and pins. The applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Students experience the engineering design process as they design and build accurate and precise catapults using common materials. They use their catapults to participate in a game in which they launch Ping-Pong balls to attempt to hit various targets.

An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate the three types of triangle: acute, obtuse and right. The applet shows a triangle that is initially right (one angle 90 degrees) which the user can reshape by dragging any vertex. There is a message changes in real time while the triangle is being dragged that tells if the triangle is an acute, right or obtuse triangle and gives the reason why. By experimenting with the triangle student can develop an intuitive sense of the difference between these three classes of triangle. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

An interactive applet and associated web page that shows how triangles that have two sides and their included angle the same must be congruent. The applet shows two triangles, one of which can be reshaped by dragging any vertex. The other changes to remain congruent to it and the two sides and the included angle are outlined in bold to show they are the same measure and are the elements being used to prove congruence. The web page describes all this and has links to other related pages. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

An interactive applet and associated web page showing how the SAS similarity test works. Two similar triangles are shown that can be resized by dragging. The other triangle adjusts to remain similar and the side-angle-side elements are highlighted to show how they are involved in this test of similarity. (two sides in proportion and the included angle the same). The web page describes all this and has links to other related pages. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference interactive geometry reference book project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

An interactive applet and associated web page that shows that side-side-angle is not enough to prove congruence, because two triangles can meet the condition. The applet shows two triangles, one of which can flip between the two possible configurations that both meet the SSA criteria, showing it is insufficient. The web page describes all this and has links to other related pages. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

An interactive applet and associated web page that shows how triangles that have all 3 sides the same length must be congruent. The applet shows two triangles, one of which can be reshaped by dragging any vertex. The other changes to remain congruent to it and the three sides are outlined in bold to show they are the same length and are the elements being used to prove congruence. The web page describes all this and has links to other related pages. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

An interactive applet and associated web page showing how the SSS similarity test works. Two similar triangles are shown that can be resized by dragging. The other triangle adjusts to remain similar and the angle-angle-angle elements are highlighted to show how they are involved in this test of similarity. (all three corresponding sides in the same proportion). The web page describes all this and has links to other related pages. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference interactive geometry reference book project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate the properties of scalene triangles. The applet presents a scalene triangle where any vertex can be dragged to reshape it. As it is dragged, the length of the sides and interior angles are continuously changed. If a change is made that causes two sides to be the same length, they are highlighted and the message 'not scalene' appears. The massages and measures can be turned off for class discussions. The text on the page has links to other pages defining each angle type in depth. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.