Measuri ng

Trianqles
In Investigation 1,you studied rectangles and other figures that are ~vertex
examples of polygons. A polygon is ashape composed of line
segments, called sides, that arejoined together. Avertex (plural
vertices) of apolygon iswhere two sides of the polygon meet.
When you find the area of apolygon, you measure the enclosed
space inside the polygon. Area is the number of square units
that will "cover" the enclosed space. In this Investigation, you
will mostly use square centimeters. A square centimeter is
1centimeter by 1centimeter. It has an area of 1square centimeter.
1 em
1cm
Draw one diagonal inthe square to form two triangles. What is the area
of each triangle?
Isthe perimeter of each of the triangles greater than, less than, or equal
to 3centimeters? Explain your thinking.
Youcan find the area of afigure by drawing it on agrid (or covering it with
atransparent grid) and counting squares. In Investigation 1,you found a
formula for finding the area and perimeter of arectangle without counting
squares, Nowyou will look for formulas for finding the area and perimeter
of triangles using what you know about rectangles.
Common Core State Standards
6.EE.A.2a Write expressions that record operations with numbers and with letters
standing for numbers.
6.EE.B.6 Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a
real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an
unknown number, or, depending on the purpose at hand, any number in a specified set.
6.G.A.1 Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals, and
polygons by composing into rectangles or decomposing into triangles and other shapes;
apply these techniques inthe context of solving real-world and mathematical problems.
Also 6.EE.A.2, 6.EE.A.2c, 6.EE.A.3, 6.EE.A.4, 6.EE.C.9
Investigation 2 Measuring Triangles __
First, it isimportant to review afewdefinitions. An angle
whose measure is 90degrees is arl~~~~~91I'f Right angles
are sometimes indicated with asmall red square. Two lines
that form aright angle arep.e..rp~n'dI~(iJ <if:filj~~i
... ,' 'c~ '. ".,_._-,_"-,,~...,'... '" '~.. ,.. ,<,.,-.,.; ...~.,_,..';
Triangles often seem to rest on one side. This side is
usually called theti~~~~Any of atriangle's three sides
can serve as abase. The 'leii:ip,~of atriangle isthe
perpendicular distance from the vertex opposite the base
to the base.
height
rigl"jt
angle
base
2.1
Tri angles on Gri ds
Fi ndi ng Area and Peri meter of Tri angles
For this Problem several triangles are drawn on grid paper.
Asyou find the area of each triangle in this Problem, think about the
patterns you observe that will help you write aformula for finding the area
of any triangle.
a On the next page, sixtriangles labeled A- F are drawn on acentimeter grid.
1. Find the perimeter of each triangle. Describe the strategies you use.
2. Find the area of each triangle. Describe the strategies you use.
@ Look at triangles A-F again. Using the grid lines, draw the smallest possible
rectangle around each triangle.
1. Find the area of each rectangle you drew. Record your data in atable
with the areas of the triangles from Question A, part (2).
2. Compare the area of the rectangle to the area ofthe triangle. Describe
apattern that tells how the two are related.
8 1. Use your results from Question Bto write aformula to find the area of
any triangle. Explain why your formula works.
2. Useyour formula to find the area of atriangle with abase of 8inches
and aheight of 3tinches.
091.) Homework starts on page 42.
Covering and Surrounding
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Investi gati on 2 Measuri ng Tri angles
......................... _..... ====
2.2
More Tri angles
Identi f yi ng Base and Hei ght
@
The height of atriangle does not always lieinside the triangle.
(See TrianglesA, B, and Cbelow.)
Tri angle A Tri angle B Tri angle C
I
I
I
:-height
I
t
base
height
I
I
I
:-height
I
""'------,---" ----r:
t
base
Measure the height
insidethe triangle.
Measure the height
alol:1gone of the
triangle's sides.
Measure the height
outside the triangle.
The height of atriangle depends on,which side is chosen as the base.
Choosing adifferent side as the base may result in adifferent height. In
Problem 2.1, you found aformula for the area of atriangle. The formula
is given by A =!b x h. Here, b isthe base and h isthe height.
'@) How does changing the position or orientation of a triangle
~ affect the base, height, and area of atriangle?
C overing and Surrounding
a 1. For each triangle, choose one side to use as the base. Use transparent
centimeter grid paper to help you find the area of each triangle.
Explain how you found the area. Include any calculations that
you used.
Tri angle 0 Tri angle E
2. Find the area of each triangle in two other ways, using each of
the other two sides as the base. Record the base, height, and area
in atable.
. ....
Base, 'Hl;! ight Area 'Ba.s..e. :Heig. . .h.t .. 'Area
.(ern)' ..'(,In)' (nit)' i(cm)', ', , (m}" < (.,.\2)
a f .
g
c h
b
. ) 1. Does changing the side you choose as the base of atriangle change the
area? Explain.
2. When finding the area of atriangle, are there advantages or
disadvantages to choosing aparticular side asthe base? Explain.
@ Maria claims that if atriangle's height falls outside the triangle, the formula
for area will not work. IsMaria correct? Explain.
OStJ Homework starts on page 42.
Investigation 2 Measuring Triangles _