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Geometry+A+3 1 4+journal

This document provides instructions and work space for students to prove the Pythagorean theorem in two different ways - using similar triangles or using areas of squares and triangles. For the first proof method, students are asked to identify similar triangles, write and solve proportions, and combine equations to arrive at the Pythagorean theorem. For the second method, students write an equation equating the area of a white square to the total area of a larger square minus four right triangles, and simplify to also arrive at the Pythagorean theorem. The document allows students to choose one of the two proof methods to complete.

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Tyler West
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224 views

Geometry+A+3 1 4+journal

This document provides instructions and work space for students to prove the Pythagorean theorem in two different ways - using similar triangles or using areas of squares and triangles. For the first proof method, students are asked to identify similar triangles, write and solve proportions, and combine equations to arrive at the Pythagorean theorem. For the second method, students write an equation equating the area of a white square to the total area of a larger square minus four right triangles, and simplify to also arrive at the Pythagorean theorem. The document allows students to choose one of the two proof methods to complete.

Uploaded by

Tyler West
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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3.1.

4 Journal: Proving the Journal


Pythagorean Theorem

Geometry A Name: _______________________

Points Possible: 20 Date: _______________________

Scenario: Will the TV Fit?

Instructions:

● View the video here.

● Using the information provided in the video, answer the questions below.

● Show your work for all calculations.

Part I- Will the TV Fit?

The Students’ Conjectures (3 points: 1 point each)

What conjecture is being made?

What key details are given?

How will you determine if the


conjecture is true?

1. Determine if the TV will fit in the car.

a. Draw the rectangle to represent the height and width of the trunk. Draw the diagonal to
represent the TV. Label the dimensions on your sketch. (1 point)

b. Use the Pythagorean theorem to write an equation representing the length of the
diagonal in comparison to the height and width of the trunk. (2 points)

c. Solve the equation you wrote in part (b) to calculate the length of the diagonal. Show
your steps. (2 points: 1 point for identifying the correct length, 1 point for showing steps)
d. Will the TV fit into the trunk? Explain your answer. (2 points)

e. What are some TV sizes that will not fit in the trunk? List at least two sizes. (1 point)

Part II- Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem

To prove that the Pythagorean theorem works, leave out the dimensions and represent the trunk
of the car with a right triangle ABC.

Complete ONE of the following proofs (Proof A or Proof B).

Which proof will you complete? Circle your answer.

Proof A Proof B

Proof A: The Similar Triangle Method (9 points total)


COMPLETE ONLY IF YOU DID NOT CHOOSE PROOF B

1. An altitude has been drawn in triangle ABC to create two smaller triangles, BCD and ACD
(see diagram).
a. Here are the three triangles shown separately. These triangles are similar. How do you
know? HINT: Compare the angle measures. (1 point)

b. Complete the proportion to compare the first two triangles. (1 point)

c. Cross-multiply the ratios in part b to get a simplified equation. (1 point)

d. Complete the proportion to compare the first and third triangles. (1 point)
e. Cross multiply the ratios in part d to get a simplified equation. (1 point)

f. Complete the steps to add the equations from part c and e. This will make one side of
the Pythagorean theorem. (1 point)

g. Factor out a common factor from part f. (1 point)

h. Finally, replace the expression inside the parentheses with one variable and then simplify
the equation to a familiar form. HINT: Look at the hypotenuse of the triangle at the top
of this problem. (2 points)

Proof B: A Geometric Proof (9 points total)


COMPLETE ONLY IF YOU DID NOT CHOOSE PROOF A

1. This is a different but interesting proof. The smaller white square is inside a larger
square. Each blue area is a right triangle. To find the area of the white square, you can
find the area of the big square and subtract the areas of the right triangles.
a. Write an expression for the area of the white square. (2 points)

b. Fill in the blanks in the equation below to represent the area of the white square. Use the
information in the picture above. (3 points)

______________________ = _________________________ - _________________________


Area of white square Area of big square Area of 4 shaded triangles

c. Simplify the equation from part (b). (3 points)

2. How could your equation from question #1 part (c) be used to solve a problem like the
television question? (1 point)

[Adapted from Apex Learning]

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