Circles and Right Triangles

Today, you will make conjectures and describe relationships between the ratios of the measurements of
various circles using Geogebra. You will then make conjectures and describe relationships between the
ratios of the sides of various right triangles, and specifically Special Right Triangles using Gizmos.

You may do this in partners, but each individual is responsible for creating the right triangles on their
own laptop, recording their own data, and turning in their own work. Any part that is not completed
during class must be completed for homework. You can access both of these applications from home.

Goal 1: To derive the relationships between measurements of a circle.

Web site: http://www.Geogebra.com Click on “Web Start,” then click on “Applet Start.”

Step 1: Draw a circle.

 Click on the circle tool.

 Click on where you want the center of the circle to be, then move your mouse to determine how
large you want your circle to be. Click again to set the circle.

Step 2: Determine measurements.

 At the bottom of the screen, you should see the word “Input.” In the textbox to the right of
that, type EXACTLY: (note: <ENTER> means to hit the enter button… don’t type <ENTER>)
radius=Radius[c] <ENTER>
 You should see “diameter = #” appear in the information section to the left of your circle.
 Similarly, go back to the input textbox and type each of the following:
circumference=Circumference[c] <ENTER>
area=Area[c] <ENTER>
SquareOfRadius=Radius[c]^2 <ENTER>
diameter=2*Radius[c] <ENTER>

Step 3: Recording Data.

 Record the data in the table below.

 Repeat the process above for two additional circles.
 You can delete a circle if necessary by clicking the Arrow button (at the far left), clicking on the
figure, and then pressing the Delete button on the keyboard.

Circle Radius Square of Radius Diameter Circumference Area

#1
#2
#3
Step 4: Interpreting Data.

Fill in the following chart using data in the chart on the previous page. Use a calculator to get a decimal
answer for each.

Ratio: Ratio:
Circle

#1
#2
#3

Step 5: Reinforce Discoveries.

Question 1: What do you think is significant about the ratios you computed above?

Question 2: Write the formulas for the Area and Circumference of a circle.

Question 3:

a) Using the equation for the Circumference of a circle, solve for π .

b) Using the equation for the Area of a circle, solve for π .

Question 4: In your own words, explain where π comes from.

Question 5: The number π is an irrational number meaning that it’s not a ratio of integers. Knowing
that , is it possible for either Circumference or Diameter to be a rational number?
Explain why or why not.
Goal 2: To derive the relationships between the sides of a right triangle.
Web site: http://www.ExploreLearning.com Login: 123456@garlandisd Password: student

Step 1: Set the preferences.

 Open the Gizmo “Similar Polygons – Activity 1”

 Change the scale factor to 3 (at the top left)
 To use this Gizmo: Move each of the vertices as needed. To view the size of the angles or the
lengths of each side, click on the buttons that say “Show angle measures,” or “Show lengths.”

 Make a right triangle with a right angle at ∠ G.

Question 1: Name the side that is opposite from ∠ E. _____

Question 2: Name the side that is adjacent to ∠ E. _____

Question 3: Name the hypotenuse. _____

Step 2: Recording Data.

 Move the angles so that you have as close to a 30-60-90 triangle as possible. Make: m∠ E =
30°, m∠ F = 60° and m∠ G = 90°. Record this information in the table below. Δ ABC will be our
Pre-Image and Δ EFG will be our image. (Pre-image #1 and Image #1.)

 Move the angles so that you have a triangle that is also as close to a 30-60-90 as possible, but
with different side lengths as the previous problem. Again, make: m∠ E = 30°, m∠ F = 60° and
m∠ G = 90°. Record your data. (Pre-Image #2 and Image #2.)

 Make a new triangle that is as close to 45-45-90 as possible Make: m∠ E = 45°, m∠ F = 45° and
m∠ G = 90°. Record your data. (Pre-image #3 and Image #3.)

 Make another 45-45-90 triangle with different side lengths. Again, make: m∠ E= 45°, m∠ F =
45° and m∠ G = 90°. Record your data. (Pre-Image #4 and Image #4.)

 Make another right triangle with whatever triangles you would like. Keep G as the 90° angle.
Record your data. (Pre-Image #5 and Image #5.)

m∠ E = __________ m∠ F = __________ m∠ G = ___90° ____

 Make one more right triangle using the same angles as the previous triangle, but with different
side lengths. Keep G as the 90° angle. Record your data. (Pre-Image #6 and Image #6.)
 Length of Opposite Length of Adjacent Length of
Triangle m∠ E
Side Side Hypotenuse
Pre-
30°
Image #1
Image # 1 30°
Pre-
30°
Image #2
Image #2 30°
Pre-
45°
Image #3
Image #3 45°
Pre-
45°
Image #4
Image #4 45°
Pre- m∠ E =
Image #5 m∠ F =
m∠ E =
Image #5
m∠ F =
Pre- m∠ E =
Image #6 m∠ F =
m∠ E =
Image #6
m∠ F =

Step 3: Reinforce Discoveries.

Question 4: Which triangles were similar to each other?

Question 5: What did you notice about the values for the similar triangles?

Question 6: How could you extend these conclusions to determine if two right triangles are similar?

Question 7: Could this also be used with acute or obtuse triangles? Why or why not?