Activity Overview
Students will explore three situations involving distances between points and lines. First, the minimum distance between two points leads to the Triangle Inequality Theorem.
Then, the shortest distance from a point to a line is investigated.
Finally, students find the smallest total distance between two points on one side of a line and a point on the line.
Before the Activity
If needed, use the file "Getting Started TI-Nspire" for an introduction to the features of the device.
During the Activity
The file "Shortest_Distances" is the teacher file with background information and step-by-step directions.
The file "Shortest_Distances_Worksheet" is the student worksheet.
The file "Shortest_Distances.tns" is the TI-Nspire file.