Right Triangles and Trigonometry

Lesson 5

Math

Unit 4

10th Grade

Lesson 5 of 19

Objective


Add and subtract radicals.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • A.SSE.A.2 — Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it. For example, see x4 — y4 as (x²)² — (y²)², thus recognizing it as a difference of squares that can be factored as (x² — y²)(x² + y²).
  • N.RN.A.2 — Rewrite expressions involving radicals and rational exponents using the properties of exponents.

Foundational Standards

  • 8.EE.A.2

Criteria for Success


  1. Use properties of radicals to add and subtract radicals with like terms as their radicands. 
  2. Treat the coefficients of radicals like the coefficient of like terms when you add or subtract. 
  3. Identify when you can create like terms with radicands to make it possible to add or subtract. For example: $${\sqrt{8}+\sqrt{2}=\sqrt{4\cdot2}+\sqrt{2}=2\sqrt{2}+\sqrt{2}=3\sqrt{2}}$$. 
  4. Calculate the perimeter of right triangles with radical side lengths. 

Tips for Teachers


  • This lesson extends work done in Algebra 1. The properties of radicals should be familiar to students but will need some review. 
  • The focus of this lesson is on working with numeric radical expressions, but students should practice with algebraic radical expressions as well.
Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Anchor Problems


Problem 1

Simplify the following:

$${2\sqrt{3}+3\sqrt{3}}$$

$${3\sqrt{12}-\sqrt{27}}$$

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

Problem 2

Is this statement always, sometimes, or never true? Explain your reasoning.

$${\sqrt{a}+\sqrt b=\sqrt{a+b}}$$

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

Problem 3

Find the perimeter of a right triangle with legs of length of $${6\sqrt 2}$$ and $${\sqrt 3}$$.

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

Target Task


Problem 1

Simplify $${\sqrt{8}+5\sqrt{2}}$$.

References

EngageNY Mathematics Geometry > Module 2 > Topic D > Lesson 23Exit Ticket, Question #2

Geometry > Module 2 > Topic D > Lesson 23 of the New York State Common Core Mathematics Curriculum from EngageNY and Great Minds. © 2015 Great Minds. Licensed by EngageNY of the New York State Education Department under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US license. Accessed Dec. 2, 2016, 5:15 p.m..

Problem 2

Write a radical addition or subtraction problem that cannot be simplified, and explain why it cannot be simplified.

References

EngageNY Mathematics Geometry > Module 2 > Topic D > Lesson 23Exit Ticket, Question #3

Geometry > Module 2 > Topic D > Lesson 23 of the New York State Common Core Mathematics Curriculum from EngageNY and Great Minds. © 2015 Great Minds. Licensed by EngageNY of the New York State Education Department under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US license. Accessed Dec. 2, 2016, 5:15 p.m..

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 need to find the value of a leg or hypotenuse and then calculate the perimeter of the triangle, similar to Anchor Problem #3. 
  • Include problems with special right triangles.
  • Include problems where students need to compare the properties of multiplication of radicals with the properties of addition/subtraction of radicals.
icon/arrow/right/large copy

Lesson 4

icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson 6

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

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable math lesson plans for free