Education Technology

The Sprinkler and the Lawn

Author
Subject Area
Math: Geometry: Circles
Math: Geometry: Triangles
Level
9-12
College
Activity Time
50 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
Resource Types
Lessons

The Sprinkler and the Lawn

Activity Overview

Students will apply the concepts of angle bisector, incenter of a triangle, and percentages to solve a real-world problem involving a circular sprinkler and a triangular-shaped lawn.

Before the Activity

Students should have a basic understanding of angle bisectors, perpendicular lines, areas of triangles and circles, and percentages. Possible curricular placements include high school geometry or a geometry courses for pre-service or in-service teachers at the college level.

During the Activity

The Parks Department has purchased a new sprinkler whose spray rotates to form a perfect circle. The sprinkler is to water the triangular-shaped lawn that is surrounded by sidewalks. Where should the sprinkler be placed inside the triangular-shaped lawn so as to cover as much of the lawn as possible without spraying the sidewalks?

Author
Subject Area
Math: Geometry: Circles
Math: Geometry: Triangles
Level
9-12
College
Activity Time
50 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
Resource Types
Lessons
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