Lesson 2: The Pythagorean Theorem & Powers
Duration of Days: 2
Lesson Objective
SWBAT: Solve for the hypotenuse or a missing leg of a right triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem.
Calculate squares and square roots of numbers manually and with a calculator to solve for diagonal lengths.
Why is the diagonal distance across a square always longer than the side?
How can we use the "3-4-5 rule" to ensure a machine's fence is perfectly square?
Pythagorean Theorem, hypotenuse, leg, square root, power, exponent, constant, right triangle.
CTE.MFG.B.05 (Basic operations)
CCSS.Math.8.G.B.7 (Apply Pythagorean Theorem).
Students master the relationship between the sides of a right triangle. The purpose is to find "diagonal" distances, such as the shortest path for a CNC tool or the distance across corners of a hex bolt.
DOK Level: 2 (Application)
Support: Use a "Perfect Squares" chart to help students recognize roots (1, 4, 9, 16, 25...).
Extension: Apply the theorem to a 3D space to find the diagonal distance from one corner of a crate to the opposite top corner.
"The Diagonal Distance Quiz" – Calculating the "Distance Across Corners" for various sizes of square and hex stock.