Are Wheelchair Ramps Too Steep?

Grade Level: 11-12 Subject: Precalculus/Trig Prepared by: Megan Storti Overview and Purpose: Students will use trigonometry and their iPad to set-up and solve a problem measuring the wheelchair ramps on campus, and determining if they are too steep. This lesson would be placed after learning the procedure for finding inverse trig functions on the calculator. Common Core Standards for Math F-TF7 Use inverse functions to solve trigonometric equations that arise in modeling contexts; evaluate the solutions using technology, and interpret them in terms of the context Objectives: Given a ratio, student will be able to sketch a diagram with ramp and sides represented as a triangle. Use a graphing calculator to compute arctan Use Simply Angle iPad app to measure ramp angle of elevation Student correctly interprets result of measurement activity Materials Needed:

iPhones (1+ per group) Calculator with trig and inverse trig functions (1 per student)

Other Resources:

Internet access to search for ADA information Information:

1. Students are told they will be inspecting wheelchair ramps around school to determine if they are too steep. Prior to the assignment, identify all ramps and locations. 2. Break students into groups, based on number of ramps. 3. Have students download the free Simply Angle app by MJ Lee from iTunes. 4. Lead a brief discussion with students on what too steep might mean, and have students sketch some examples on a whiteboard. Other students can practice using the app to measure the angle of the examples. 5. After a brief discussion, suggest that students look up guidelines for wheelchair ramps. Each group should find 2 Internet sources to compare, and ultimately determine the correct ratio. (1:12 as the maximum height:length) 6. Have students sketch a ramp with the maximum dimensions and ask them to find the angle of elevation using trigonometry and their calculators. Verification: 1. Circulate between groups to ensure they are proceeding through the search appropriately, and finding appropriate sources. 2. Review each groups sketch to be sure sides and angle are correctly labeled.

3. Check that students have used arctan to compute the angle (in degrees). 4. Ask students how they will know if a ramp is too steep.

Activity: Send each group to a different wheelchair ramp on campus. Each group should do the following: 1) Use the Simply Angle app to measure the angle of the ramp. 3) Repeat with any additional iPads and repeat if more than one incline exists. 4) Students will make a determination if the ramp is too steep or acceptable based on ADA guidelines found earlier in the lesson. 5) Students report back to the class and give the actual angle of each ramp along with their conclusion.

Notes: The purpose is to show students that they can solve a real-life problem using trigonometry. Possible extensions on this activity: Practice more abstract problem solving with right triangle trigonometry. Discuss school implications of ramps that are too steep. Extend this problem by asking students how to fix any ramps that are too steep.