Module 6

Module 6: Triangles and Other Polygons

 

Lesson 4: Applying Similar Triangles

 

Focus

 

Alexander Wuttunee Decoteau was a man of many firsts. Born on the Red Pheasant Reserve and educated in Battleford, Saskatchewan, Decoteau distinguished himself as a good student and an excellent athlete.

 

Decoteau joined the Edmonton Police as the first Aboriginal police officer in Canada. As a police officer, Decoteau continued to compete in athletics. In 1910, for example, he entered four races in the Alberta Championships—from the half-mile race to the five-mile race—and came first in every one! Also that year, he set a new Western Canadian record of 27 min 45 s for the five-mile race. Decoteau even represented Canada in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

 

In 1916 Alexander Decoteau joined the army, and the following year he was killed in the Battle of Passchendaele.

 

Today, Alexander Decoteau’s memory is celebrated every year through the Alex Decoteau Run in which Edmonton students participate in 3-km and 5-km races. As you can imagine, there is a relation between the length of a race and the record times set at a race. The longer the race, the greater the time needed to complete the race.

 

There are also relations among corresponding parts of similar triangles. In this lesson you will apply these geometric relations. As you work through this lesson, also think of the accomplishments of Canada’s athletes and how the sports in which they participate may apply to your Unit 3 Project.

 

Lesson Question

 

In this lesson you will explore this question:

• How are the relationships among similar right triangles used in problem solving?

Assessment

 

You will complete the Lesson 4 Assignment Booklet for assessment. Download the Lesson 4 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 start working 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 measuring tape or ruler

• a calculator

Mathematics 10-3 Learn EveryWare © 2010 Alberta Education