| Purpose: |
To apply principles of similar triangles,
To improve estimation skills, To develop computation
skills |
| Season: |
All |
| Background
information: |
In similar triangles, the angles are the
same and the sides of the triangles are in exact
proportion to each other. |
| Materials: |
Meter sticks or yardsticks, paper,
pencil, string (optional), calculator (optional) |
| Procedure: |
- Review the difference in congruent triangles and
similar triangles.
- Hold a meter stick or yardstick on the ground in
an upright position (h) and have someone lie down
at Point A and sight with his/her eye close to
the ground so that the top of the stick is in
line with the top of the object being measured (a
tree, the dam, etc.) (C).
- Measure the distances AD and AB .
- Establish similar triangle ADE and ABC and set up
this problem to determine the height of the
object.
AD = AB
h H
- You might want to collect the data at Miller
Springs and then calculate height in the
classroom.
- You might want to use a string from AD and AB.
Then measure the string.
|
| Questions: |
- How can you measure the height of a tree or
building?
- Why does similar triangles help?
|