Three squares : when do two squares make a new square?

URL: http://www.figurethis.org/challenges/c45/challenge.htm

1007936

This activity opens with a diagram of two unequal squares and challenges students to find a way to construct a third square from them. It is part of the Figure This! collection of 80 math challenges emphasizing math in the real world. The activity introduces the Pythagorean theorem and explains its importance in construction and engineering professions. Students are encouraged to model the problem using squares of paper. Related questions introduce Pythagorean triples, and the Did You Know page offers interesting facts about the history of the Pythagorean theorem. Answers to all questions and links to additional resources are provided. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse

Summary

Subject keyword(s)	Algebra, Education, Geometry, Mathematics, Modeling, Plane geometry, Process skills, Pythagorean theorem, Representation, Triangles
Grade level	Middle School, Informal Education
Intended audience	Learner
Resource type	Audio/Visual, Instructional Material
Resource format	image, image/gif, text, text/html
Rights	Content copyright 1999-2002 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Found in collection(s)

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Title	Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
Link	http://msteacher2.org/
Description	The Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) supports middle grades educators with high-quality, standards-based resources and promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its users. Educators use MSP2 to increase content knowledge in science, mathematics, and appropriate pedagogy for youth ages 10 to 15. MSP2 employs social networking and digital tools to foster dynamic experiences that promote creation, modification, and sharing of resources, facilitate professional development, and support the integration of technology into practice. MSP2 is a project of the Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, National Middle School Association, and Education Development Center, Inc., and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The partners integrate resources, tools, and services across projects, and support multiple methods of resource discovery to meet the needs of this audience.
	Full description and distribution of resources

Content contained within the resource

Home � Getting Started � Answer � TryThese � ThinkAbout This � Did You Know? � Resources Try Another Challenge � Challenge Index � Math Index · Printing the Challenges � En Español Family Corner � Teacher Corner � About Figure This! · Purchase the CD ©2004 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Web site and CD-ROM design/production © 1999-2004 KnowNetConstruction, Inc.