Activity Overview
In this Computer Algebra System (CAS) activity, students use 'landscape' paper and fold the top left corner of the page so that it just
touches the bottom of the page. They calculate the area of the triangle formed by the bottom left corner and find the distance that forms a triangle with maximum area.
Before the Activity
Install TI Connect™ using the TI connectivity cableSee the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity Print pages 1 - 2 from the attached PDF file for the class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Fold the top left corner of the landscape paper so that it just
touches the bottom of the page
Measure the sides of the resultant triangle and determine its area
Fold the paper using the outlined method for different values
Record the corresponding values for the base and for the area of the triangle
Determine the value which gives the maximum area of the triangle
Draw a scatter plot of the increment value against the area
Use the graph to estimate the value which gives the maximum area of the triangle
Determine an expression for the hypotenuse of the triangle
Find the expression for the area of the triangle
Calculate the derivative of the expression for the area
Equate the derivative to zero and find the maximum area
Generalize the solution
After the Activity
Students answer questions on the Activity sheet.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary