When hikers and skiers go into terrain with a risk of avalanches, they take safety equipment including avalanche rescue beacons. An avalanche rescue beacon sends and receives electromagnetic field signals that travel in circular patterns. The search pattern used to locate a beacon buried in the snow is based on the properties of chords and diameters in circles. This activity uses Cabri Jr. Geometry software to model an avalanche search pattern.

If needed, introduce the features and tools of Cabri Jr. with the file "Getting Started with Cabri Jr." Make sure Cabri Jr.™ is loaded on all calculators.

The Teacher pages of the file give Answer Keys and a "Discuss with Students" section reviewing the properties of circles and chords.

The Student pages of the file include the Technology Activity, Extensions, and Resources.

Review student answers: