6-1.14 Bases and Altitudes of Triangles (Part 2)

This is based on OUR lesson 6-1.10 Bases and Heights of Triangles Student Facing Goals I can identify corresponding pairs of base and height of any triangle. When given information about a base of a triangle, I can identify and draw a corresponding height. Lesson Narrative This lesson furthers students’ ability to identify and work with a base and height in a triangle in two ways: By learning to draw (not just to recognize) a segment to show the corresponding height for any given base, and By learning to choose appropriate base-height pairs to enable area calculations. Students have seen that the area of a triangle can be determined in multiple ways. Using the base and height measurements and the formula is a handy approach, but because there are three possible pairs of bases and heights, some care is needed in identifying the right combination of measurements. Some base-height pairs may be more practical or efficient to use than others, so it helps to be strategic in choosing a side to use as a base.

By Jeff Holcomb