Basic Geometry Key Concepts
Basic Geometry Key Concepts
You will need the following to do this course: Geometer’s Sketchpad (GSP), a compass,
a straight edge, a calculator, a protractor, colored pencils, tape and Algebra I course
notes.
A. Unit 1 Introduction
The learner will investigate the language and symbols of geometry by utilizing the terms
of points, lines, planes, segment, midpoints, rays, angles, angle pairs, and perpendicular
bisectors, as well as analyze two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures and relate to
life-related problems.
Read the definitions of line, point, plane, collinear points, non-collinear, coplanar points,
non-coplanar points, betweeness of points and segment.
Use the Sketchpad (GSP) software and complete the following exercise. Print out your
work. If you're using the demo version, please draw on paper what you see on your GSP
screen.
Procedure:
1. Select Segment Tool and draw segment AB.
2. Use Select Tool and the shift key to select both end points.
3. Click on the Display menu and choose show labels.
4. Select the segment and go to the Construct menu and choose point on object.
Again, use Display to show labels.
5. Select two of the points using the shift key.
6. Choose the Measure menu and choose distance to measure each distance from A
to B, B to C and A to C.
7. Select the segments AC and BC using the shift key.
8. Choose the Measure menu and calculate to find the sum.
9. Drag point C along segment AB while holding down the shift key.
10. Go to Tool to record what you observed.
11. Go to the Edit menu and select all.
12. Go to the File menu and print.
2 2
d = 36 + 64 M = ( 4, 7 )
d = 100
d = 10
So, AB = 10 and M = (4, 7)
D. Lesson 4: Perpendicular
Read the definitions for perpendicular lines, perpendicular bisectors, and midpoints.
Now you will construct the perpendicular bisector of a line segment. To do this you will
need a compass and straight edge.
Procedure:
1. Draw a line segment.
2. Draw a circle that has one of the line segment endpoints as its center and whose
radius is more than half the length of the line segment.
3. Draw another circle with the other endpoint as its center and whose radius is more
than half the length of the line segments.
4. Draw a line through the two points where the circles intersect. This is the
perpendicular bisector.
(Where the perpendicular bisector and line segment meet is the midpoint.)
1. Draw a segment with your straight edge. Its length doesn't matter. Label the
segment AB.
2. Construct a line perpendicular to segment AB that does NOT pass through the
midpoint. Label the intersection point X.
3. Construct the perpendicular bisector for segment AB. Label the new intersection
point Y.
4. Identify the midpoint of segment AB. Use a ruler to verify showing your work.
The following are angle pairs and their relationships for two parallel lines intersected by a
transversal.
∠ 1, ∠ 2, ∠ 7 and ∠ 8 are exterior angles.
∠ 3, ∠ 4, ∠ 5 and ∠ 6 are interior angles.
∠ 1 and ∠ 8, and ∠ 2 and ∠ 7 are alternate interior angles.
∠ 3 and ∠ 6, and ∠ 4 and ∠ 5 are alternate exterior angles.
∠ 1 and ∠ 5, ∠ 2 and ∠ 6, ∠ 3 and ∠ 7, and ∠ 4 and ∠ 8 are corresponding angles.
∠ 3 and ∠ 5, and ∠ 4 and ∠ 6 are consecutive interior angles.
Using the concepts above, complete the following activity for vertical angles and linear
pairs. Using Sketchpad software to answer, print out and complete the worksheet from
this activity.
Exploration:
1. There are two pairs of vertical angles showing on the screen. Please identify these
two pairs. ________________ and _________________
2. What do you notice about each pair of vertical angles for each intersection?
_______________________________________________________________
3. There are four linear pairs of angles on the screen. Please identify all four.
4.
__________________ and ___________________
__________________ and ___________________
__________________ and ___________________
__________________ and ___________________
5. What do you notice about the sum of the measures for each linear pair at each
new intersection?
________________________________________________________________
Conjectures:
After reading the definition for congruent angles, construct a congruent angle pair by
bisecting an angle.
Procedure:
You will integrate the various types of angle pairs just studied with origami. Make either
an origami boat or whale. Remember to start with a square sheet of paper. You do not
have to use origami paper but it is better looking. A "squared" sheet of plain paper will
work fine.
Now unfold your origami shape and complete the following activity for angle pairs.
Remember to print out the worksheet and complete it.
H. Unit 2 Introduction
The learner will identify transversals and the angles formed to prove and use theorems
related to angles formed by parallel lines and transversals, determine when lines are
parallel and solve life-related problems.
• find angle relationships such as vertical angles, linear pairs, and supplementary
angles.
• identify relationships between and among points, lines, and planes, such as
parallel and perpendicular lines.
• find the intersection of lines, planes, and solids.
• connect geometric diagrams with algebraic representations.
• integrate constructions such as segments and angles, and parallel lines.
I. Lesson 1: Parallel Lines
Read the definition of parallel lines. Then, construct two parallel lines and a transversal
intersecting them. Label and measure the angles. You will need a straight edge and
protractor to do this. Your drawing should look similar to this:
1. Angle EGB and angle BGH form a ______________________ and their angle
measures are ______________________.
2. Angle EGB and angle GHD form _______________________________ angles
and their angle measures are ___________________________.
3. Angle BGH and angle GHD form _______________________________ angles
and their measures are _______________________________.
4. Angle BGH and DHF form ____________________________________ angles
and their measures are _______________________________.
5. Angle GHD and angle DHF form a ____________________________ and their
angle measures are ______________________________.
6. Name another angle pair that is the same type of angles as question 2.
_____________ and _________________
What do you think their measures are? ______________________
7. Name another angle pair that is the same type of angles as question 3.
______________ and ___________________
What do you think their measures are? ____________________
J. Lesson 2: Transversal Angles
Next, you are going to use GSP to complete an activity in which you will construct
parallel lines yourself, measure angles, move points, and explain in words what are the
relationships between various types of angles. If you can print from GSP, please print out
your sketches for this activity. If you are working with the demo version then record your
sketches on paper. This is similar to lesson one but this time you are using Sketchpad
(GSP) and making more observations.
Exploration #1:
1. According to our definitions, what type of transversal angle pair are ∠ ADC and
∠ FCD? _________
2. What seems to be true about the measures of these two angles in all cases?
_________________________________________________________________
_____________
3. According to our definitions, what type of transversal angle pair are ∠ BDC and
∠ ECD? ________
4. What seems to be true about the measures of these two angles in all cases?
_________________________________________________________________
_____________
5. According to our definitions, what type of transversal angle pair are ∠ ADC and
∠ ECD? _________
6. For Transversal 1, what is the sum of these two angles?
______________________
7. Does this sum hold true for the other transversals as well?
____________________
8. According to our definitions, what type of transversal angle pair are ∠ BDC and
∠ FCD? _________
9. For Transversal 1, what is the sum of these two angles?
______________________
10. Does this sum hold true for the other transversal as well?
_____________________
Conjectures:
1. When two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, the pairs of ________________
_______________ angles formed are ______________________.
2. When two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, the pairs of ______________
________________ angles formed are ____________________.
Pairs of Transversal Angles - The Sequel
Procedure:
m∠ m∠ m∠ m∠ m∠ m∠ m∠ m∠
Data:
ADH BDH ADC BDC ECD FCD ECG FCG
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Transversal
Exploration #2:
1. According to our definitions, what type of transversal pair are each of the
following pairs of angles:
2. In comparing each pair of angles for each transversal, what would seem to be
true of the measures of each pair?
_________________________________________________________________
Conjecture:
When two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, the pairs of _______________________
angles are __________________________________.
Read the definitions of parallel lines, same side interior angles, alternate exterior angles,
alternate interior angles, corresponding angles, vertical angles, linear pairs, congruent and
supplementary.
Rules to know:
• If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the alternate exterior angles are
congruent.
• If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the alternate interior angles are
congruent.
• If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the same side interior angles are
supplementary.
• If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the corresponding angles have
the same measure.
• If two coplanar lines are cut by a transversal and the corresponding angles have
the same measure, then the lines are parallel.
Now complete these questions:
8. ∠ 1 ∠ 14 _________, _______________________
9. m ∠ 9 = 120o,
m ∠ 11 = 120o __________, ___________________
10. m ∠ 8 = 50o,
m ∠ 6 = 130o _________, ___________________
11. m ∠ 12 = m ∠ 15 ________, ___________________
12. ∠ 7 ∠ 1 ________, ________________________
13. m ∠ 3 = 132o,
m ∠ 2 = 132o _________, ___________________
14. If m ∠ YWQ = 53o, find m ∠ XWQ, m ∠ GJK, m ∠ QJH, and m ∠ RWY. _____,
______, ______, ________
15. * If m ∠ YWQ = 4x . 10 and m ∠ GJK= 2x + 36, find m ∠ YWQ and m ∠ QJH.
_______, ________
16. * If m ∠ XWQ = 5x and m ∠ QJH = x + 24, find m ∠ YWQ & m ∠ QJG.
_______, ________ (Use for 14-16.)
* Show work.
Complete.
Read the definitions for parallel lines, perpendicular lines, slope, reciprocal, and inverse
reciprocal.
Things to know about parallel and perpendicular lines:
• Two non-vertical lines are parallel if and only if they have the same slope.
• Lines that are parallel have the same slope.
• Lines that are perpendicular have slopes that are inverse reciprocals.
Example: If line l has a slope of 10, what is the slope of line x if they are perpendicular?
Since the lines are perpendicular, we need to find the inverse reciprocal of the
1
slope of line l. Line l has a slope of 10. The reciprocal of 10 is and the inverse
10
1 1 1
(opposite) of is - . So, the slope of line x is - .
10 10 10
1. 2, 2
2. -2, -1/2
3. -5/6, 6/5
4. -7, 1/7
State whether the pairs of lines determine by each set of points is parallel, perpendicular,
or neither. Remember to first find the slope for each line. Finding the slope of a line is an
Algebra I concept that you should have already had. If you have forgotten how to
calculate slope, then go to an Algebra I course and review how to calculate slopes of lines
given two points.
5. Line AB and line CD: A (1, 2); B (2, 3) and C (8, -1); D (7, -2).
6. Line EF and line GH: E (3, 8); F (-2, -9) and G (-2, 0); H (9, -5).
7. Line ST and line XY: S (-5, -2); T (-4, 1) and X (7, 6); Y (8, 3).
Unit 3: Triangles
M. Unit 3 Introduction
The learner will investigate the types of relationships of triangles using the properties that
relate to the segments and angles of triangles including inequalities, perpendicular
bisectors, altitudes, and medians, determine missing measures using diagrams and
appropriately apply theorems/corollaries for equilateral, isosceles, scalene triangles and
interior/exterior angle properties to solve problems.
You are now to create a collage of the different types of triangles that are in your world.
You will need at least three pictures for each of these triangles: acute triangle, right
triangle, and obtuse triangle. These pictures can come from the Internet or magazines or
your own photographs. After you have located your pictures, then display them on a
poster board, appropriately labeled.
This lesson will review measuring angles with a protractor. To measure an angle with a
protractor, you need to place the measuring line with the center, usually a hole, on the
vertex and a line of the angle. Then, look at the angle measurements on the protractor to
read the angle measurement. Keep in mind that an acute angle is less than 90° and that an
obtuse angle is greater than 90°.
1. 2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
This lesson will introduce you to one of the most used theorems in geometry.
Theorem: The sum of the interior angles in any triangle is 180°.
Examples: Using the following picture complete the problems.
Use the drawing to the below to find the indicated angle measures' sums. State a reason
for each.
8. m ∠ 2 + m ∠ 4 + m ∠ 6= ______; ____________________
9. m ∠ 6 + m ∠ 1= ________; ______________________
10. m ∠ 1 + m ∠ 3 + m ∠ 5 = _________; _________________
We have been working with triangles throughout this unit. Now let's explore this
question: Can a triangle be formed given any three segment lengths? Your first response
is probably “yes”. If you have a piece of uncooked spaghetti at your house, go get two
pieces. Break the first piece into three relatively the same length pieces and see if you can
form a triangle. Remember to join the pieces end-to-end. It should have worked. Now
take the second piece of spaghetti and break two very small pieces off one end of it.
(About 1 inch each.) The long piece should still be 4-5 inches long. Now try making a
triangle as you just did. Any problems this time? Did your pieces of spaghetti look
something like this?
Tape the two sets of spaghetti pieces on a sheet of paper to be turned into your teacher.
Now, you are going to read about the Triangle Inequality Theorem.
Triangle Inequality Theorem: The sum of the measures of any two sides of any triangle is
greater than the measure of the third side. In other words, you can pick any two sides
measure and when they are added together the sum will be greater than the measure of
the third side.
Example: Can the following lengths form a triangle?
1. 8, 6, 2
8 + 6 = 14 > 2 ok
8 + 2 = 10 > 6 ok
6 + 2 = 8 not >8 fails
So, no, can’t form a triangle
2. 3, 4, 5
3 + 4 = 7 > 5 ok
3 + 5 = 8 > 5 ok
4 + 5 = 9 > 3 ok
So, yes, can form a triangle
Read the definitions for altitudes, medians, angle bisectors, and perpendicular bisectors of
triangles.
Pictures of properties for altitudes, medians, and perpendicular bisectors.
Median
Altitude
• In an acute triangle, all of the altitudes are inside the triangle.
• In a right triangle, one of the altitudes is inside the triangle and the other two are
the legs of the triangle.
• In an obtuse triangle, one of the altitudes is inside the triangle and the other two
are outside the triangle.
Perpendicular bisector
Use the information you learned and your algebra skills to answer the following
questions:
1. Segment AD is an altitude.
m ∠ ADB = 5x - 10.
m ∠ ABD = 2x + 5
Find x, m ∠ ABD, and m ∠ BAD.
2. Segment AD is an angle bisector.
m ∠ BAD = 3x - 5
m ∠ DAC = x + 29
Find x, m ∠ BAD, and m ∠
BAC.
3. Segment AD is median.
BD = 5x + 2
DC = 2x + 8
Find x, BD, and BC.
4. Segment ED is a perpendicular
bisector.
BD = 3x - 3
DC = x + 2
Find x, BD, BC, and m ∠ EDC.
5. Write a paragraph for each of the four types of special segments that you have
explored in this lesson describing their placement in reference to the triangle as the
triangle changes from acute to right to obtuse.
This last lesson will have you exploring the very famous Euler line. You will be using
some of the concepts from the last lesson in a GSP activity and also using your wax
paper. When the second worksheet refers to a "patty paper," you use about a 4 inch
square piece of wax paper. After you complete the first activity, be sure to print out the
completed worksheet and the sketch from GSP (or a drawing on graph paper if using the
demo version of GSP.)
1. Trace the three basic triangles—acute, right, and obtuse—onto patty papers. The
students will need to trace three of each type of triangle on three separate patty
papers.
2. On one acute triangle construct the perpendicular bisector for each side. To
construct a perpendicular bisector with the patty paper, you must fold the paper so
that one side lies on top of itself until one endpoint is lying on top of the other
endpoint. Then crease the paper along this fold. Trace along each of the folds to
display the three perpendicular bisectors. When all three perpendicular bisectors
have been constructed, darken the point of intersection of these three lines. You
have constructed the circumcenter of the triangle.
3. On a second acute triangle, construct the three altitudes of the triangle. Perhaps
the best way to do this is to slide an index card along one side of the triangle until
the vertical edge lines up with the opposite vertex while the horizontal edge is
aligned with the side of the triangle. Trace or fold along the vertical edge of the
index card to construct the altitude to that side of the triangle. After all three
altitudes have been constructed, darken the point of intersection of the three
altitudes. You have constructed the orthocenter of the triangle.
4. On the third acute triangle construct the three medians of the triangle. Use the
same basic procedure discussed above for the perpendicular bisectors in order to
locate the midpoints of the three sides of the triangle. Then use a straightedge to
connect each vertex to its opposite midpoint. After all three medians have been
constructed, darken the point of intersection of the three medians. You have
constructed the centroid of the triangle.
5. Now you can lay the three patty papers on top of each other so that all three
triangles are aligned with each other. You may then use a straightedge to see that
these three points of intersection—the circumcenter, the orthocenter, and the
median—all lie on the same line—the Euler line.
Follow the same procedure for the other two triangles to demonstrate that this
construction applies to all three types of triangles.
S. Unit 4 Introduction
The learner will utilize the Pythagorean Theorem, its converse, special right triangles,
and the trigonometric functions sine, cosine, and tangent to find missing measures in
right triangles, determine the type of triangle according to its angles, and solve problems.
Now, finally we are going to work out problems using the Pythagorean Theorem
Examples: Using the picture and given information we will solve the following problems.
Problems:
This lesson will allow you to see how the Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem can be
used as well as more practice using the Triangle Inequality Theorem from the last unit.
Read the definition of the Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem.
The following rules apply to triangles and the Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem.
• In any triangle
a+b>c
b+c>a
a+c>b
• In any triangle, a < b, if and only if ∠ A < ∠ B.
• All of a triangles sides are of equal length if and only if all of its angles are equal.
• In a right triangle
c 2 = a 2 + b2
• In an acute triangle
c 2 < a 2 + b2
• In an obtuse triangle
c 2 > a 2 + b2
Now try answering these questions.
State which types of triangles according to angles and sides would occur with each set of
segments given. Explain your answers.
Now we are going to learn "Shortcut rules" for certain special right triangles. These
triangles will either have angle measures of 45o, 45o, and 90o; or 30o, 60o and 90o.
In a 45o - 45o - 90o V , an isosceles triangle, the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the
length of a leg multiplied by 2 .
In a 30o - 60o - 90o V , the length of the hypotenuse is two times that of the leg opposite
the 30o angle. The length of the other leg is 3 times that of the leg opposite the 30o
angle.
Examples:
1. Given a 45o - 45o - 90o V with ∠ A = 90o and AB = 4cm. Find AC and BC.
We know that AC = AB (legs of the triangle). So, AC = 4cm.
BC = AC( 2 ) = AB( 2 ) = 4 2 cm
2. Given a 30o - 60o - 90o V with ∠ B = 60o, ∠ C = 30o and BC = 6cm. Find AB and AC.
We know that BC in the hypotenuse by the given information, so BC = 2x = 6cm.
2x 6cm
Now solve for x: = ⇒ x = 3 cm.
2 2
So, AB = 3cm. AC = x( 3 ) = 3 3 cm.
Complete using the "quick" rules for 45o-45o-90o and 30o-60o -90o triangles.
Given: m ∠ B = m ∠ C = 45o.
Given: m ∠ C = 60o, m ∠ B = 30 o.
This lesson will introduce you to right-triangle trigonometry. If you take a pre-calculus
class at some time, you will learn more about trigonometry, specifically circular
trigonometry. In geometry, though, we just work with right triangles. Once you learn the
three basic trig ratios and how to enter the information into your scientific calculator, you
should find trig a very easy concept to use. One reminder when using your scientific
calculator, it should always be in the "degree" mode. There are other units of measure for
angles such as radians and gradians, but we will only measure angles in degrees in this
course. First, read the definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent, then review the formulas.
opposite O
sine x = =
hypotenuse H
adjacent A
cosine x = =
hypotenuse H
opposite O
tangent x = =
adjacent A
c c b
For this image, sin (C) = , tan (C) = , and cos (C) =
a b a
Example:
Find a and b.
a a a 8.66
sin (A) = = tan (A) = =
c 10 b b
a 8.66
sin (60) = tan (60) =
10 b
a 8.66
(sin (60))(10) = (10) (tan (60))(b) = (b)
10 b
(sin (60))(10) = a (tan (60))(b) = 8.66
(tan (60))(b) 8.66
(0.866)(10) = a =
tan (60) tan(60)
8.66 = a b=5
To find the degrees of a reference angle you will need to use the following function keys
on your calculator:
sin-1, to use when you find sine
cos-1, to use when you find cosine
tan-1, to use when you find tangent
Examples:
1.
Find ∠ C and ∠ B.
1 1 1
sin (C) = = 0.707 or tan (C) = =1 or cos (C) = = 0.707
2 1 2
Now let's see if you can work problems on your own. You can, and should, use your
scientific calculator.
State the correct ratio of sides for each.
1. Sin =
2. Cos =
3. Tan =
State the trig equation and solve for each. Each triangle is a right triangle.
Given: ABC with sides a, b, and c with m C = 90o. State the trig equation and solve.
Unit 5 Introduction
The learner will recognize special quadrilaterals and the appropriate properties associated
with each quadrilateral and utilize these properties and drawings to apply formulas of
area, surface area, and volume for a variety of geometric shapes and solids to calculate
these measurements.
In this lesson, you will practice naming polygons as well as drawing polygons. Read the
definitions for concave, convex, equilateral triangle, heptagon, hexagon, isosceles
trapezoid, isosceles triangle, octagon, parallelogram, pentagon, rectangle, right triangle,
scalene, and trapezoid, then complete the following assignment. You will need coloring
pencils, a ruler, and protractor for the drawing part of this lesson.
Assignment:
Draw each of the following polygons: equilateral triangle, heptagon, hexagon, isosceles
trapezoid, isosceles triangle (non-equilateral), octagon, parallelogram (not a rectangle or
rhombus), pentagon, rectangle, right triangle, scalene triangle, and trapezoid (non-
isosceles). Also, write a paragraph for each graph explaining how you created it.
Read the definitions for congruent, diagonal, kite, parallelogram, quadrilateral, rectangle,
rhombus, square, and trapezoid. You will now explore some specific polygons and
special quadrilaterals. (Note: Not every quadrilateral has parallel sides or equal sides!)
Ex.
Example:
Rectangle:
Find ∠ ABC, CD, BC, BD, and AC.
Since the image is a rectangle, ∠ ABC = 90 o, CD = AB = 3”, and BC = AD = 8”. Now,
find BD and AC. We do know that BD = AC by definition of a rectangle, so solve for
only one segment and you’ll know both segment lengths.
Now let's practice working some problems applying the properties of special
quadrilaterals.
Find each indicated length or angle measure.
Lesson 3: Computing Area
You to refresh your memory about computing area of two-dimensional shapes to help
you with finding the surface area of three-dimensional figures in the next lesson. Most
students will have had area and perimeter of two-dimensional figures usually in the
seventh and/or the eighth grades. That's been some time ago. So, let's review. Start by
reading the definitions for area and perimeter. Then, review the following formulas.
Circle:
Area = π r2 Perimeter = 2 π r
Ellipse:
(r1 ) 2 + (r2 )2
Area = π r1r2 Perimeter = 2 π
2
Equilateral Triangle:
3 2
Area = (a ) Perimeter = 3a
4
Parallelogram:
Area = bh Perimeter = 2a + 2b
Rectangle:
Area = ab Perimeter = 2a + 2b
Rhombus:
1
Area = d1d2 Perimeter = a + b + c + d
2
Square:
Area = s2 Perimeter = 4s
Trapezoid:
1
Area = h(b1 + b2) Perimeter = a1 + b1 + a2 + b2
2
Triangle:
1
Area = bh Perimeter = a + b + c
2
For solid, or 3-d, figures use the following formulas for total area (T) and volume (V).
Cone:
1 2
T = π rl + π r2 V= πrh
3
Cylinder:
T = 2 π rh + 2 π r2 V = π r2h
Pyramid:
1 1
T= PL V = Bh
2 3
Where, B is the area of the base and P is the perimeter.
For T we are using a regular pyramid which has a base that is a regular polygon
and with lateral faces that are all congruent isosceles triangles.
Right Prism:
T = 2B + Ph V = Bh
where, B = lw and P = 2l + 2w
Sphere:
4
T = 4 π r2 V= π r3
3
Example:
2.
3.
4.
5.
Now we are going to switch to polyhedras. Begin by reading the definitions for cube,
dodecahedron, icosahedrons, octahedron, polyhedra, tetrahedron, and vertices.
Vertices and edges in the polyhedras we will be looking at:
Tetrahedron - has four vertices and six edges.
Octahedron - has six vertices and twelve edges.
Cube – has eight vertices and twelve edges.
Icosahedrons - has twelve vertices and thirty edges.
Dodecahedron - has twenty vertices and thirty edges.
Assignment:
For this assignment you will need scissors, glue or tape, paper, and the given pictures,
because you are going to construct the five regular polyhedra that you explored earlier.
Print out the following four pictures of the regular polyhedra and make one yourself for a
cube, then construct them using your scissors and either tape or glue. A nice way to
display your solids is to create a mobile. To create a mobile, you will need some type of
frame. A wire clothes hanger works very well. (You will need wire snips to cut it.) You
will also need some type of string to hang the solids. Either nylon thread or fishing line
works well. Experiment with making your mobile having different levels by using more
than one piece of clothes hanger, hanging two solids on one level and three solids on the
other level. Work with the solids to see what balances the best.
Unit 6: Congruent Polygons and Transformations
T. Unit 6 Introduction
The learner will recognize the conditions needed to prove polygons congruent and/or
similar and corresponding parts. Then the learner will use the properties of
transformations in connection with congruency and similarity to draw images of figures
as reflections, translations, rotations, and dilations.
There are three ways to prove that two triangles are congruent: ASA (Angle-Side-Angle),
SAS (Side-Angle-Side), and SSS (Side-Side-Side). Read the definitions for congruent,
congruent angles, ASA, SAS, and SSS. For each of them you always get only ONE,
unique triangle. Some people will try to prove congruency by SSA (Side-Side-Angle).
This is not possible because with SSA you get two possible triangles with the same
measures but theses two triangles are not congruent. Therefore it cannot be used to
guarantee congruency for triangles.
Now we are going to learn about similar triangles. Read the following definitions: ASA
part 2, SAS part 2, SSS part 2, and similar polygons. Hopefully, you will quickly see the
difference between congruent and similar shapes.
The three Similarity Rules for Triangles are:
• angle-angle similarity
• side-angle-side similarity
• side-side-side similarity
Example: Given two similar triangles, find the missing values of a, y, and the measure of
∠ A..
1st: Write proportions for the corresponding sides of the triangles.
15 y 15 7.5
= and =
12 8 12 a
2nd: Use cross products to solve.
15 y 15 7.5
= and =
12 8 12 a
(15)(8) = (y)(12) and (15)(a) = (7.5)(12)
120 = 12y and 15a = 90
120 12y 15a 90
= and =
12 12 15 15
10 = y and a=6
3rd: Solve for ∠ A.
∠ X and ∠ A are corresponding angles and by definition of similar polygons ∠
A = ∠ X = 44o
Assignment:
1. Given two similar triangles find c, d, and ∠ F.
4.
5.
6.
Lesson 3: Similarity and Area, Volume, and Scale
This lesson will have you explore how similarity relates to other geometric concepts such
as area, volume, and scale drawings. From previous lessons, we know that if two shapes
are similar, their corresponding sides have the same ratio and their corresponding angles
are equal. But what you may not know is that if two shapes are similar, then their lengths,
area, and volumes also have the same ratio. This means that for similar shapes:
a
• Ratio of lengths = a:b or
b
a2
• Ratio of areas = a2:b2 or 2
b
a3
• Ratio of volumes = a :b or 3
3 3
b
Examples:
1. Given that the two shapes are similar find the missing variable.
2.
3.
U. Lesson 4: Transformations
This lesson will explore transformations and their connections to congruency and
similarity. Read the definitions for reflection, rotation, line of symmetry, transformation,
and translation.
Examples:
Rotation: Rotate A 90o .
Reflection: Reflect B.
Symmetry: Show where the given triangle is symmetric by its line of symmetry.
Assignment:
What letters of the alphabet have symmetry? Show their symmetry. (Hint: Some have
more than one line of symmetry!)
Unit 1, Lesson 1
TD = 23, DR = 15
Unit 1, Lesson 2
a. AB = 13, M: (5.5, 1)
b. AB = 10, M: (-7.5, -1.5)
c. AB = 65, M: (1.5, -1)
Unit 1, Lesson 5
Exploration
Conjectures
Unit 2, Lesson 1
Unit 2, Lesson 2
Exploration #1
Conjecture
Exploration #2
Conjecture
Corresponding angles are congruent (have the same measure).
Unit 2, Lesson 3
Unit 2, Lesson 4
1. parallel
2. neither
3. perpendicular
4. perpendicular
5. parallel
6. neither
7. perpendicular
Unit 3, Lesson 3
1. 94 ½o
2. 26, 78, 36, 66
3. 48
4. 44, 136
5. 65, 27
6. 44
7. 23 4/7, 132 6/7
8. 180, the sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle is 180
9. 180, linear pairs are supplementary
10. 360, the sum of the measures of the exterior angles of a polygon is 360
Unit 3, Lesson 4
1. 64, 52
2. 58, 58
3. 30,75,75
4. 11
Unit 3, Lesson 5
The Triangle Inequality Theorem states that the sum of the measures of any two sides of
a triangle must always be greater than the measure of the third side.
Unit 3 Lesson 6
1. 20, 45, 45
Solution: 5x – 10 = 90o
+ 10 + 10
5x = 100
5 5
x = 20
∠ ABD = 2(20) + 5 = 45
∠ BAD + ∠ ADB + ∠ ABD = 180
∠ BAD + 90 + 45 = 180
∠ BAD = 45
2. 17, 46, 92 (Use a similar method to one)
3. 2, 12, 24 (Use a similar method to one)
4. 2.5, 4.5, 9, 90o (Use a similar method to one)
5. In a right triangle two of the altitudes are the legs of the triangle, the third altitude
and all of the other special segments are in the interior of the triangle. In an obtuse
triangle two of the altitudes lie outside the triangle, the third altitude and all of the
other special segments are in the interior of the triangle. In an acute triangle all of
the special segments lie inside the triangle.
Unit 4 Lesson 2
1. 15
2. 13
3. 5
4. 3 10 or 90
Unit 4 Lesson 3
Unit 4, Lesson 4
1. 8, 8 2
2. 6.3, 6.3 2
3. 17/ 2, or (17 2)/2
4. 2, 2
5. 3 3, 6
6. 14.5, 14.5 3
7. 5.3/ 3 or (5.3 3)/3, 10.6/ 3 or (10.6 3)/3
8. 3.95, 3.95 3
Unit 4 Lesson 5
Unit 5, Lesson 2
1. 6, 90o, 4, 20 or 2 5, 4 5
2. 90o, 5 2, 2.5 2, 5 2, 45o
3. 1in., 6in., 62o
4. 90o, 4 ft., 7 ft., 65, 65
Unit 5, Lesson 4
1. V = 297.5 m3
2. V = 272 in3 or about 854.5 in3
3. V = 75 in3 or about 235.6 in3
4. V = 93.3 ft3
5. V = 288 cm3 or 904.8 cm3
1. c = 2, d = 7.5, ∠ F = 36o
2. yes by SAS
3. no
4. no
5. yes by AA
6. yes by SSS
Unit 6, Lesson 3
1. r = 3 cm
2. x = 100 cm3
3. a = 2.5 cm 2