Module 6

Module 6: Triangles and Other Polygons

 

Lesson 3: Similar Triangles

 

Focus

 

Many board games, such as chess and Chinese checkers, involve a variety of geometric shapes that play an important part of the game. In Chinese checkers, each player places ten pieces in a coloured triangle. The object of the game is to transfer these pieces by jumps or moves to the triangle opposite. The first player to reach this goal is the winner.

 

If you look at the board, there are numerous triangles. Can you see some of these triangles? Look at the Chinese checkers board again. The smallest triangle has one unit per side. Are all of these triangles similar?

 

In previous lessons you explored a variety of similar polygons. In this lesson your focus is the triangle.

 

Lesson Questions

 

In this lesson you will explore these questions:

• How can you identify similar triangles and apply the relationships among them to solve everyday problem situations?
  

• Why are two right triangles with a shared acute angle similar?

Assessment

 

You will complete the Lesson 3 Assignment Booklet for assessment. Download the Lesson 3 Assignment Booklet and save it in your course folder now. You will receive instructions on how to complete the Assignment Booklet later in the lesson. You will also be prompted to work on the Unit 3 Project.

 

Remember to save all activities, including those that are not part of the Assignment, in your course folder.

 

Required Materials and Equipment

 

For this lesson you will need

• a protractor

• a straightedge or ruler

• several blank sheets of paper

• a calculator

• a compass

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