Activity Overview
In this activity, students will explore visual proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem using area and transformations. They will use the Cabri™ Jr. app to perform translations on the squares constructed on the two legs and the hypotenuse of a right triangle to consolidate their understanding of the Pythagorean Theorem visually.
Before the Activity
Install the Cabri Jr. App on the students' graphing calculators using
TI-Connect™, a TI Connectivity Cable and the Unit-to-Unit Link Cable
Use the TI-Navigator™ to transfer the attached Cabri Jr. AppVar files to each calculator
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 71 - 74 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Use the AppVar to go directly to the exploration section
Construct three squares along each of the sides of a right triangle, and explore the relationship that exists among the areas of the three squares
Translate the smallest square into the largest square, divide the third square, and move a piece of the third square into the largest square
Use additional transformations to verify that this construction supports the Pythagorean theorem
After the Activity
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary