Right Triangle Trig Intro and Exploration
Student groups: Choose a random angle measure between 15° and 40°. Be sure each group member sets the value of the acute angle equal to this value you and your group members chose.
In the input box on the left, type "" (without the " "). What is the value of this ratio (approximately)?
Now move the vertices (corners) of this triangle around. Pay attention to the decimal value of as you do. Compare the value of your ratio with the ratio values other members in your group got. What do you notice?
Student groups: Use the same angle measure you chose in the first app above. Set the value of this angle (below) equal to that value. Then answer the questions that follow.
In the input box on the left, type "" (without the " "). What is the value of this ratio (approximately)?
Now move the vertices (corners) of this triangle around. Pay attention to the decimal value of as you do. Compare the value of your ratio with the ratio values other members in your group got. What do you notice?
Student groups: Use the same angle measure you chose in the first app above. Set the value of this angle (below) equal to that value. Then answer the questions that follow.
In the input box on the left, type "" (without the " "). Compare this ratio value with the value the rest of the students in your group got. What do you notice?
Now move the vertices (corners) of this triangle around. Pay attention to the decimal value of as you do. Compare the value of your ratio with the ratio values other members in your group got. What do you notice?
Why on earth do you and your group members notice the phenomena you do? Hint: What is so special about all the triangles you and your group members have constructed? Explain!