LESSON EXEMPLAR

IN
MATHEMATICS
WEEK 1
 LESSON EXEMPLAR IN MATHEMATICS
Subject MATHEMATICS
Topic Triangle Side Lengths
Pisa Competency Recognizing functional relationships between quantities
M8GE-IVb-1: The learner applies theorems on triangle
inequalities.

Content Standards and Performance Standard:

• The learner demonstrates understanding of key concepts of
K to 12 Curriculum inequalities in a triangle, and parallel and perpendicular
Competency lines.
• The learner is able to communicate mathematical thinking
with coherence and clarity in formulating, investigating,
analyzing, and solving real-life problems involving triangle
inequalities, and parallelism and perpendicularity of lines
using appropriate and accurate representations.
☐ Explicitly using SOLO (from U → M → R)
✓ Alternative question/item taking a different approach,
method, or technique
☐ Presenting information in a different form
Higher Order Thinking ✓ Reversing the way that a solution is traditionally
Strategy Adopted achieved
☐ Providing an erroneous answer and asking students to
correct mistakes
☐ Compare and contrast two similar features
☐ Other
Smith, John. Geometry: A Comprehensive Course. 3rd ed.
New York: Academic Press, 2015.;
References:
Smith, John. Introduction to Geometry: Concepts and
Theorems. 4th ed. Chicago: Math Publications, 2019.
Week No./Time Frame Week 1/1 Hour and 30 Minutes

I. Priming Activity: (5 Minutes)

Hands-On Activity (10 minutes)
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups (2-3 students per group).
2. Hand out three different straws (or sticks/paper strips) to each group. The straws
should vary in length—some groups should have sets of straws that can form
triangles, and others should not.
3. Ask students to try to form a triangle using the three given lengths.
Guiding Questions:
 • Can you form a triangle with these three sides?
• Why or why not?

II. Mini Lesson: (20 Minutes)

A triangle is a three-sided polygon, and its side lengths are an essential element in
determining its type, size, and other properties. Understanding the relationships between the
side lengths of triangles is crucial in geometry. This mini lesson will cover the basic types of
triangles based on their sides, the Triangle Inequality Theorem, and the Pythagorean Theorem
for right triangles.
Types of Triangles Based on Side Lengths:
1. Equilateral Triangle:
o Definition: A triangle where all three sides are of equal length.
o Properties:
▪ All interior angles are 60 degrees.
▪ It has rotational and reflectional symmetry.
o Example: If a triangle has sides of 6 cm each, it is an equilateral triangle.
2. Isosceles Triangle:
o Definition: A triangle with two sides of equal length.
o Properties:
▪ The angles opposite the equal sides are also equal.
▪ The third side is called the base.
o Example: A triangle with side lengths of 5 cm, 5 cm, and 7 cm is isosceles.
3. Scalene Triangle:
o Definition: A triangle where all three sides have different lengths.
o Properties:
▪ No angles are equal.
▪ This type of triangle has no lines of symmetry.
o Example: A triangle with side lengths of 4 cm, 6 cm, and 8 cm is scalene.

The Triangle Inequality Theorem

The Triangle Inequality Theorem states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a
triangle must be greater than the length of the third side. This theorem ensures that the three
sides can form a triangle. Mathematically, for any triangle with sides a, b, and c:
• a+b>c
• b+c>a
• a+c>b
If these conditions are not met, a triangle cannot exist with the given side lengths.
• Example: Consider a triangle with sides of 3 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm:
o 3+4=7>6
o 3+6=9>4
o 4+6=10>3
Since all conditions are satisfied, a triangle can be formed with these sides.

The Pythagorean Theorem (For Right Triangles):

The Pythagorean Theorem applies to right triangles, which have one angle measuring 90
degrees. It relates the side lengths of the triangle:
• Formula: a2+b2=c2, where:
o a and b are the legs (shorter sides) of the triangle.
o c is the hypotenuse (the longest side opposite the right angle).
• Example: If a right triangle has legs of 3 cm and 4 cm, we can calculate the hypotenuse:
o 32+42=c2
o 9+16=c2
o 25=c2
o c=5 cm
Therefore, the hypotenuse is 5 cm.
Note: To determine whether three given side lengths can form a triangle, use the Triangle
Inequality Theorem. For right triangles, apply the Pythagorean Theorem to verify if a set of
side lengths forms a right triangle.

III. ACTIVITY (50 MINUTES)

Question 1. Bernard is constructing a wooden triangular frame to be used as a part of a mold.
He already has pre-cut wooden blocks which are 5 cms and 6 cms long to be used as 2 sides of
the triangular frame. If he decides that the length of the third side is also a whole number solve
the following questions.
Question 1 a1. By considering the Triangle Inequality Theorem, which states that the sum of
the lengths of any 2 sides of a triangle must be greater than the third side: list down the possible
length of the third side for Bernard to create the triangular frame.
Question 1 a2. Using the answer to Question 11 a1, determine all the possible perimeters of
the triangle.
Question 1 b1. Suppose Bernard only had a 10-in wooden block to create the three sides of the
triangular shaped mold, how should he cut the wooden block such that all measurements should
be a whole number? Note: The Triangle Inequality Theorem: This theorem states that the sum
of the lengths of any 2 sides of a triangle must be greater than the third side.

IV. Additional Activities (15 Minutes)

You are designing different triangular structures for a park and need to verify if the
given side lengths can form valid triangles. Additionally, you must check if any of the triangles
are right-angled.
You have the following side lengths for three triangular structures:
• Structure A: 5 meters, 7 meters, 12 meters
 • Structure B: 6 meters, 10 meters, 15 meters
• Structure C: 8 meters, 10 meters, 12 meters
Question 1: Using the Triangle Inequality Theorem, determine whether the side lengths of
each structure can form a valid triangle.
The sum of the lengths of any two sides must be greater than the third side.
Steps: For each structure, verify the following:
• a+b>c
• b+c>a
• a+c>b
Question 2 (For Structure B):
Task Description:
Using the Pythagorean Theorem, check if the side lengths of Structure B (6 meters, 10
meters, and 15 meters) form a right triangle.
• Formula: a2+b2=c2, where c is the longest side (hypotenuse).
Steps:
• 62+102=36+100=136
• 152=225
Is a2+b2=c2?
Question 3 (For Structure C):
Task Description:
Check if Structure C (8 meters, 10 meters, and 12 meters) forms a right triangle.
Steps:
• 82+102=64+100=164
• 122=144
Is a2+b2=c2?

V. Acceptable Answers
Answers for Activity
Q1 a1: Using the Triangle Inequality Theorem, let 𝑐 be the measure of the third side. Let the 5
cm wooden block be the first side and 6 cm wooden block be the second side.
Inequality 1: (1st side) + (2nd side) > 3rd side
5+6>𝑐
11 > c
Inequality 2: (2nd side) + (3rd side) > 1st side
6+𝑐>5
𝑐 > −1
Inequality 3: (1st side) + (3rd side) > 2nd side
 5+𝑐>6
𝑐>1
The third side must be greater than 1 cm but less than 11 cms. Using traditional notation, the
answer would be 1 < 𝑐 < 11.
Q1 a2: The intersection of Inequalities 2 and 3 is 𝑐 > 1, which is Inequality 3. We could
combine Inequalities 1 and 3 to come up with the possible integral values of 𝑐 such that 1 < 𝑐
< 11. We organize the result by making a table:

From the table developed we can see the smallest and largest perimeters that would be
possible, namely, 13 cm is the shortest and 21 cm is the longest perimeter. Hence, there are 9
possible triangles whose perimeter is a whole number between 13 to 21 inches, inclusively.
Q1 b1: Construct a table listing all the possible sides of the triangle whose perimeter is 10 and
must satisfy the condition stated by Triangle Inequality Theorem.
Note: The order of the measurements is not important, hence, 1-4-5, 1-5-4, 4-1-5, 4-5-1, 5- 4-
1 and 5-1-4 refer to only one triangle.
 Therefore, Bernard has two possible triangles: a triangle whose measures are 2 in, 4 in
and 4 in and a triangle whose measures are 3 cm, 3 cm, and 4 in.
Additional Activities
Q1 Solution:
• Structure A:
o 5+7=12, 12>12 (not valid)
o Structure A cannot form a triangle.
• Structure B:
o 6+10=16>15
o 6+15=21>10
o 10+15=25>6
o Structure B forms a valid triangle.
• Structure C:
o 8+10=18>12
o 8+12=20>10
o 10+12=22>8
o Structure C forms a valid triangle.
Q2 Solution
No, 136≠225. Structure B is not a right triangle
Q3 Solution
No, 164≠144. Structure C is not a right triangle.