Students use these stations to circulate throughout the class discussing, and using the pythagorean theorem.

1. Station 1: Jelly Bean Fun
Background: As we have seen in class, Pythagoras discovered something very interesting
when it comes to the area around the sides of a right angle triangle. Can you prove his
theorem by only using this form and jelly beans?
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Instructions
1. Using only the jelly beans and the triangular form,
describe Pythagoras’ Theorem.
2. After you have practiced explaining the theorem
with the jelly beans, record your group’s
explanation by hitting the record button on the
video camera.
3. Remember to hit record when finished. This will be a
single take. Do not attempt to play back / record
again.

2. Station 2: How Tall is Picard
Background: This figurine has been made to scale. It is exactly 16 times smaller than
Picard’s actual height. We know that his height forms one leg of a right angle triangle,
and a point 30 cm away forms the other leg. The string from his head to that point, is
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cm. Engage! Instructions
1. Discuss with your group how to find the missing
length of the triangle (height of figurine).
2. Complete your calculations as a group on a white
sheet of paper. Be neat, and complete with your
answer.
3. Determine how tall Picard actually is in real life.
4. Indicate your favourite Star Trek quote at the
bottom of your group’s white paper.
?

3. Station 3: 12 Knot Conundrum
Background: It all started with this one rope. Pythagoras used a rope, similar to this 11
knotted rope, to ensure that the the bases of Greek columns were straight. Now you get
to play Pythagoras!
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Instructions
1. This rope is knot quite complete to form a 3,4,5
triangle. As a group turn this rope into a proper
Pythagorean style rope!
2. It is now your turn to test some right angles in the
classroom. Can you prove that the walls are at a
perfect right angle?
3. Have one of your group members to video tape you
proving that the walls are indeed straight! Be sure
to only take one shot with the camera.

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Station 4: Geo-Boards
Background: It’s crazy how simple the pythagorean theorem can be explained by using
only pieces of plastic and rubber bands.
Instructions
1. Using the geoboards and rubber bands. Have each
group member model the pythagorean theorem
using the elastics.
2. Find the length of the hypotenuse on every
geoboard triangle that you create.
3. Label that hypotenuse with a sticky note.
4. Take a picture of your creation!
HYPOTENUSE

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Station 5: Semi-Circles
Background: It’s strange, but Pythagoras actually extended his theory to include any
shape that fits around the edges of the right triangle. Let’s take a look!
Instructions
1. Using the right triangle template, and a compass,
draw circles around the right triangle where the
legs and the hypotenuse form the diameter of each
circle.
2. Using your knowledge of the area of a circle (pi r
squared sounds like...) find the area of each circle.
Now what is the area of the half around each side?
3.Will Pythagoras’ Theorem work for semi-circles too?

6. Station 6: Triple Pythagoras
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Group
α

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β

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γ

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θ

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λ

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μ