- A high wire is stretched across the diameter of the circle
- A second wire is stretched across the diameter of the circle.
- The two wires intersect at one point.
- On the first wire, the lengths of the wire are ten feet and eight feet.
- On the second wire, only one section of the wire is known and that is five feet.
- What is the length of the second section of the wire?
- Have students work in small groups on this problem.
- It is a great idea to have students draw a diagram of the solution of the problem.
- Solution:
- 10× 8 = 5 x
- 80= 5 x
- x=16 feet
- The diameter of the circle has no impact on the answer of this problem.
III.TechnologyIntegration
- Have students go to the following website to do some research about high wire acts in the circus.
- http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/newton/hwire.html
- What kind of math is involved in this art?
- Does the diameter of the wire impact the act?
- Have students write a short report on what they have learned about math and the high wire.
- Students can even complete the activity at the end of the web page and experience walking a “high wire” of
sorts themselves.
IV.NotesonAssessment
- Check the solution to the problem.
- Did the students use a diagram?
- Is the diagram accurate?
- Were they able to solve the problem accurately?
- Provide students with feedback and comments.
3.9. Circles