Right Triangles and Trigonometry

Lesson 1

Math

Unit 4

10th Grade

Lesson 1 of 19

Objective


Define the parts of a right triangle and describe the properties of an altitude of a right triangle.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • G.CO.A.1 — Know precise definitions of angle, circle, perpendicular line, parallel line, and line segment, based on the undefined notions of point, line, distance along a line, and distance around a circular arc.
  • G.SRT.B.4 — Prove theorems about triangles. Theorems include: a line parallel to one side of a triangle divides the other two proportionally, and conversely; the Pythagorean Theorem proved using triangle similarity.

Foundational Standards

  • 8.G.A.4
  • 8.G.B.6

Criteria for Success


  1. Describe the parts of a triangle based on their relative position (e.g., adjacent, opposite). Understand that these descriptions apply to right and non-right triangles. 
  2. Describe the right triangle–specific relationships of hypotenuse (side opposite the right angle) and legs (sides adjacent to each other and the right angle). 
  3. Recall altitudes of triangles as line segments that connect the vertex of a triangle with the opposite side and intersect the opposite side in a right angle. 
  4. Explain how you know that when a triangle is divided using an altitude, the two triangles formed are similar.

Tips for Teachers


This lesson, specifically Criteria for Success 3, connects to Unit 2, Lesson 11 because the altitude of an isosceles triangle is the perpendicular bisector.

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Anchor Problems

25-30 minutes


Problem 1

Annotate the following diagram with the vocabulary words of “leg” and “hypotenuse.”

Guiding Questions

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Problem 2

Given: $${\overline{BD}}$$ is the altitude of right triangle $${\triangle ABC}$$ through right angle $${\angle B}$$
Prove: $${\triangle ABD\sim \triangle BCD}$$

Guiding Questions

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Target Task

5-10 minutes


Find the measure of $${AD}$$ and $${DB}$$ given:

$${AC=16}$$

$${AB=8}$$

$${BC=12}$$

Additional Practice


The following resources include problems and activities aligned to the objective of the lesson that can be used for additional practice or to create your own problem set.

  • Include problems where students create proportions using side lengths to determine the relationship between the sides of the triangles.

Next

Define and prove the Pythagorean theorem. Use the Pythagorean theorem and its converse in the solution of problems.

Lesson 2
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Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Topic A: Right Triangle Properties and Side-Length Relationships

Topic B: Right Triangle Trigonometry

Topic C: Applications of Right Triangle Trigonometry

Topic D: The Unit Circle

Topic E: Trigonometric Ratios in Non-Right Triangles

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