Theorem of Pythagoras

Materials: Handouts, dot paper, Geoboard

Step 1:

¨ Actively read about the Pythagorean Theorem and Investigation 10.3: Using the Pythagorean Theorem on pp. 565-6 of Bassarear.

¨ Do problems 2b (perimeter only), 12, and 25 on pp. 571-3.

¨ Do problems in "Pythagorean Puzzles" in Activities from the Mathematics Teacher.

¨ Do problems in "Preparing for Pythagoras" in Activities from the Mathematics Teacher.

¨ Do Activity 10: Right or Not from Mathematics Activities for Elementary School Teachers: A Problem Solving Approach.

¨ Actively read Activity 10.5: Pythagoras and Proof in Mathematics for Elementary Teachers via Problem Solving: Student Activity Manual.

¨ Actively read about the same diagrams in Haack.

¨ Your goal is to understand the connection between a² and the area of a square. Also you need to understand what a² + b² = c² means in terms of the areas of squares and the lengths of the sides of a right triangle.