Lesson 4

Explore

 

In previous lessons you solved problems using triangles and trigonometry. In this lesson you will encounter problem situations that need two triangles sharing sides or angles to help you find solutions.

 

Try This 2

 

Being a landscaper requires strong mathematical estimation and calculation skills. When planting trees, initially supporting them to develop a strong root base is essential to the development of the tree. Knowing how much guy wire is needed in order to support a tree is important.

 

Open the Guy Wire interactive to help calculate how much guy wire is needed to support the tree shown.

1. Come up with a plan for how you can determine the amount of guy wire required to support the tree.
   
   
2. Which angles would you measure to make your calculations? Use the protractor to measure the angles.
   
   
3. Draw a diagram with all of the known and unknown sides and angles. Label the unknowns with a variable.
   
   
4. What strategies could you use to calculate the unknown sides?
   
   
5. How would you determine how much guy wire is needed to support this tree?

Save a copy of your responses to your course folder.

 

Share 2

 

Share your results to Try This 2 questions 1 to 5 with a partner or in a group.

 

How do the strategies used to solve this problem compare? Would you change your strategy based on seeing the different strategies used?

 

If required, save a record of your discussion in your course folder.