Geometry

Lesson 13

Math

Unit 6

7th Grade

Lesson 13 of 21

Objective


Determine if three side lengths will create a unique triangle or no triangle.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • 7.G.A.2 — Draw (freehand, with ruler and protractor, and with technology) geometric shapes with given conditions. Focus on constructing triangles from three measures of angles or sides, noticing when the conditions determine a unique triangle, more than one triangle, or no triangle.

Criteria for Success


  1. Investigate creating triangles with different side lengths.
  2. Understand that in a triangle, the sum of any two side lengths of the triangle must be greater than the third side (Triangle Inequality Theorem). 
  3. Determine if a given set of side lengths will create a triangle.
  4. Determine a possible measure of a third side length, given two other sides of a triangle.

Tips for Teachers


Lesson Materials

  • Ruler (1 per student)
  • Compass (1 per student)
  • AngLegs or prepared wooden skewers (1 per student or small group) — See the blog post Triangle Inequality Skewers by Elissa Miller for guidance on how to prepare wooden skewers.
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Anchor Problems

25-30 minutes


Problem 1

Using AngLegs or wooden skewers, investigate different side lengths that will create a triangle.  

Complete the chart below, adding rows as needed.

Side length $$a$$ Side length $$b$$ Side length $$c$$ Triangle? If not, explain why
       
       
       

What conclusion can you make about the side lengths of a triangle? 

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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Problem 2

In each diagram below, line segment $${AB}$$  is 4 units. Two circles are drawn with a given radius and center at point $$A$$ and point $$B$$.

Diagram 1:

Circle with center $$A$$ has a radius of 4 units.

Circle with center $$B$$ has a radius of 2 units.

Diagram 2:

Circle with center $$A$$ has a radius of 1 unit.

Circle with center $$B$$ has a radius of 2 units.

 

 

a.   Using Diagram 1, explain or show why you can create a triangle with side lengths 4 units, 4 units, and 2 units.

b.   Using Diagram 2, explain or show why you cannot create a triangle with side lengths 4 units, 1 unit, and 2 units.

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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Problem Set

15-20 minutes


Give your students more opportunities to practice the skills in this lesson with a downloadable problem set aligned to the daily objective.

Target Task

5-10 minutes


Problem 1

Which of the following set of side lengths could not be used to create a triangle?

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Student Response

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Problem 2

A triangle has two side lengths that measure 6 in. and 9 in. Which of the following could be the measure of the third side? Select all that apply.

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Student Response

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Additional Practice


The following resources include problems and activities aligned to the objective of the lesson that can be used for additional practice or to create your own problem set.

Next

Identify unique and identical triangles.

Lesson 14
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Lesson Map

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Topic A: Angle Relationships

Topic B: Circles

Topic C: Building Polygons and Triangles

Topic D: Solid Figures

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