Lesson Plan: Applications of Trig Ratios

Lesson Objectives:

1. Use angles of depression and elevation to calculate horizontal, vertical and

diagonal distances.
2. Construct and use a quadrant and tape measure to measure angles of elevation and
calculate heights.

Materials: Calculators, Quadrant Construction Materials (see http://www.kyes-

world.com/quadrant.htm), Tape Measures

TEACHER ACTIVITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Review homework and material from the Ask questions and give input for finding
previous section. the solutions.

Use problems #16, #17, and #18 on page Work on problems (in groups if desired);
360 as a wrap up for the previous section and ask questions about anything that is
(these are problems about finding the unclear.
lengths and angles of right triangles.

Explain the concepts of angles of Listen to explanation; ask questions if

elevation and angles of depression. they have any.

Do example #1 on page 365 (this Answer questions and give input for
problem involves finding a distance finding the solution.
when the height and angle of depression
are given).

Assign ‘Checking for Understanding’ Work on problems and ask any questions
#1, #2, and #3 on page 366 (these are they might have.
practice problems involving using angles
of elevation and angles of depression).

Hand out materials and instructions for Follow instructions and make quadrants.
making quadrants (these can also be pre-
made).

Take class out into hallway and instruct In pairs, measure angles of elevation and
them to measure various heights using horizontal distances, and record data on
the quadrant and tape measure. a table. Use this information to compute
heights of objects.
If time allows, have a couple of students Volunteers will present their work in
present their measurements and front of the class and answer any
calculations. Questions.

Hand out homework assignment, explain Ask questions if they have any.
it, and answer any questions.

Connections to NCTM Standards:

This lesson incorporates the Geometry Standard of using trigonometric

relationships to determine lengths and angle measurements. Through the assessment, it
also includes the Measurement Standard of analyzing accuracy error in measurement
situations.
This lesson also incorporates the Problem Solving and Communication Standards.
It has students solve real life problems that arise in math and other contexts, and has them
communicate their mathematical thinking to peers and the teacher.

Accommodations:

Students who have difficulty manipulating objects can have their quadrants pre-
made or made by another student. If there are students with serious behavioral problems,
the teacher may have to pre-cut the quadrant materials. Students with more specific
disabilities will be accommodated in a case-by-case manner.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed on their class participation and their homework

assignment. The homework assignment is a performance assessment that will measure
their ability to take what they learned in class and apply it outside of school (see
assignment).