Right triangles from 2,000 years ago? Learners investigate different right triangles found in the earthworks of the Hopewell people, a Native American culture that populated the United States from 200BC to AD 500. Learners apply concepts of right triangles, including the Pythagorean Theorem and trigonometry, to triangles found it the earthworks.

Concepts

triangles, right triangles, pythagorean theorem, trigonometry applications

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

math

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Use the resource as an assessment task after a unit on right triangles
• Project images of the Hopewell Earthworks enclosure

Classroom Considerations

• Have calculators available for pupils
• Learners need to have prior experience with the Pythagorean Theorem, right triangle trigonometry, and similar figures

Pros

• Learners in the Central Ohio Valley may find the context interesting
• Task allows for multiple solution methods

Cons

• Context is not applied or needed in the task
• Triangle 3is missing critical information

Common Core

8.G.B.7 HSG-SRT.C.8 MP2 MP3 MP6 MP7