Education Technology

From a Distance...You Can See It!

Subject Area
Math: PreAlgebra: Geometry
Level
9-12
Activity Time
60 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-30X IIS
Other Materials
    This is Activity 10 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Math Investigations with the TI-30X IIS: Activities for Secondary Mathematics

    You will require the following materials for this activity:
  • 3 X 5 index cards
  • Coordinate grid paper
Resource Types
Lessons

From a Distance...You Can See It!

Activity Overview

Students find the distance between points using common fractions and decimals, with the concepts of midpoint and distance. They also learn to solve problems using the Pythagorean theorem.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 97 - 100 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:

  • Draw a line segment and label three midpoints as described
  • Use the calculator to determine the measure of each half segment


  • Plot a trapezoid on a grid paper
  • Mark and label the midpoints of three sides
  • Use the midpoint formula to find the midpoint of the fourth side
  • Use the distance formula to determine the length of the fourth side


  • Draw a diagonal along a 3" x 5" card, forming two right triangles
  • Draw an altitude from the right triangle to the hypotenuse of one of the right triangles, forming three triangles
  • Measure the lengths of the sides of the three triangles and record the values in a table
  • Compare side lengths and check if they confirm to the Pythagorean theorem
  • After the Activity

    Students complete the Student Activity pages and solve problems.

  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary
  • icon-download-lm
    Download Files
    Subject Area
    Math: PreAlgebra: Geometry
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    TI Calculator
    TI-30X IIS
    Other Materials
      This is Activity 10 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
      Math Investigations with the TI-30X IIS: Activities for Secondary Mathematics

      You will require the following materials for this activity:
    • 3 X 5 index cards
    • Coordinate grid paper
    Resource Types
    Lessons
    iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
    Vernier EasyData,Vernier EasyLink and Vernier EasyTemp are registered trademarks of Vernier Science Education.