Anna Shaffer
Choice-Based Task: Pythagorean Theorem
MSSE 420
Standard:
8.9 The student will
a) verify the Pythagorean Theorem; and
b) apply the Pythagorean Theorem.
Learning Goals:
Students will understand that …
U1. There is a relationship between parts of the whole and the whole.
U2. Missing information can be solved for.
Essential Questions:
E1. What are the components of the Pythagorean Theorem?
E2. In what other ways can the Pythagorean Theorem be used?
E3. How does the Pythagorean Theorem relate to the real world?
Skills:
Students will be able to…
S1. Determine the Pythagorean relationship through investigation using a variety of tools and
strategies.
S2. Solve problems involving right triangles geometrically, using the Pythagorean relationship.
S3. Demonstrate the connection of the Pythagorean Theorem to other strands of math.
Introduction: You have the choice to take on one of the three following careers: an air traffic
controller, an architect, or a Best Buy Sales Associate. While these careers may seem vastly different,
they all use similar mathematics in their day-to-day work. You will be asked to use the Pythagorean
Theorem to problem solve in a given scenario. Please keep in mind that you may have to do some
unit conversions: 1 mile = 5,280 feet and 1 meter = 39 inches.
Role Task
Air Traffic Controller You are an air traffic controller working at Dulles Airport. You are in
charge of guiding multiple flights from the sky to the runway.
Flight 187 is flying at 3000 feet and is 10 miles away from the landing
point on the runway. The plane begins descending at a constant rate.
● Draw a diagram of Flight 187’s descent.
● How many feet will the plane travel when descending from its
current position to the runway?
● If the plane flies at an average of 250 miles per hour when
descending, how long will the descent take?
● Assuming the above descent time, do the passengers have time
to watch the latest episode of The Kardashians, which is 41
minutes long?
Architect You are tasked with building a new Bass Pro Shop Pyramid in
Washington DC. You want the pyramid to be as tall as possible, but
Washington DC doesn’t allow commercial buildings to be more than
160 feet tall. Your pyramid base will be 200 feet by 200 feet..
● Draw a diagram showing the height, base length, and side
length.
● Assuming you are building at the maximum build height, what
will the side lengths be?
● Your pyramid base has to be reduced to 100 feet by 100 feet.. If
you keep the same build height, which building will have a
more vertical angle?
Best Buy Sales Associate You are a sales associate at Best Buy. A customer, Bill, wanted to buy a
television for a cubby in his living room. Bill measured the cubby as .5
meters tall, 1 meter long. Televisions are sold by their diagonal length.
● Draw a diagram of the television in the cubby.
● Can Bill purchase a 55 inch television?
● What is the maximum sized TV Bill can purchase? Should Bill
get a TV that is the maximum height?
What sized TV would you recommend to Bill? What would the length
and height of your recommended TV be?
Closure Activity: To conclude the activity, students will get into small groups and will explain their
role and the problem they were faced with. The groups will be constructed randomly but will ideally
have at least one person from every profile. While each individual is sharing, their group mates
should be encouraged to ask questions and point out any inconsistencies. Students can take feedback
from peers and can make any necessary changes.
Rubric:
Excellent Almost There Needs Improvement
Mathematical All mathematical steps Some work is done Little to no work is
Accuracy and equations are correctly, some work is done correctly, little or
S2 done correctly, all shown, and/or the no work is shown.
work is shown, and the answers are only
_____/4 points answers to each somewhat correct.
problem are correct.
4 points 3 or 2 points 1 or 0 points
Identifying Identify the correct Pythagorean Pythagorean
Pythagorean Pythagorean relationship is only relationship is not
Relationship relationship, apply the somewhat identified, is identified or applied
S1 formula with the only partially applied, and/or no steps for
accurate and/or the steps are solving are shown.
corresponding only partially followed
number, and follow through.
through all steps.
_____/6 points 6 or 5 points 4, 3, or 2 points 1 or 0 points
Comprehension Grasps the concept Concept is not fully Concept is not
S2, S3 fully, can make grasped, conclusions grasped, conclusions
conclusions from the are only partially are not made, and/or
mathematical answers, made, and/or problems real world
and can identify and relating to the real relationships cannot
problem solve real world are totally be made.
world applications. identified.
_____/10 points
10, 9, or 8 points 7, 6, 5, or 4 points. 3, 2, 1, or 0 points.
Total:
Additional Comments: