Mathematics / Year 9 / Measurement and Geometry / Pythagoras and trigonometry

Curriculum content descriptions

Apply trigonometry to solve right-angled triangle problems (ACMMG224)

Elaborations
  • understanding the terms adjacent and opposite sides in a right-angled triangle
  • selecting and accurately using the correct trigonometric ratio to find unknown sides (adjacent, opposite and hypotenuse) and angles in right-angled triangles
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Trigonometric ratios,  Right angled triangles

Video

Catalyst: Applying trigonometry: leaning tower

The Leaning Tower of Gingin is the centrepiece of the Gravity Discovery Centre. The Catalyst team of Derek, Simon and Anja drop watermelons from the tower, to examine the rate at which they fall. They are testing Galileo's theory about falling objects. The dimensions of the tower provide an opportunity to apply some basic ...

Interactive

Laptop wrap: Talking trigonometry

In this laptop-friendly resource, students consolidate their understanding of trigonometry by investigating practical applications of the ratios, highlighting the process they used to find a solution.

Interactive

Renovate, Calculate!

A student resource that explores the use of mathematics in the trades. Highly interactive investigations into ratio, areas of special quadrilaterals and right-angled trigonometry.

Interactive

Trigonometric Ratios

An animated introduction to the basic trigonometric ratios.

Interactive

Finding Angles From Ratios

An animated tutorial about using a calculator to find an angle when given a trigonometric ratio. An interactive quiz is included.

Online

reSolve: Gradient and Tangent

This sequence of two lessons investigates gradient and angle by applying the tangent ratio to find the angles represented by a road sign or the angle of a street. In the first lesson, students research what a road grade is and determine the actual angle of a road given its grade. They then construct their own road sign ...

Online

Pythagoras and trigonometry (Measurement): Year 9 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 9 is for the topic of Pythagoras and trigonometry. Students apply and build upon knowledge of Pythagoras’ theorem, angle properties, trigonometry and scales to solve problems involving right-angled triangles.

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Mathematics of bushfire

In these classroom activities students will be introduced to some of the basic mathematical principles that underpin wildfire science, with an emphasis on how theoretical concepts are used to aid our understanding of the real world, and bushfire in particular. They will learn about the complexities of the fire management ...

Video

Stateline: Mapping farmland: using area and trigonometry

In northern Queensland's Gulf region, some farmers use GPS mapping to help manage their extensive properties. Use this clip as a context for applying your understanding of area, in particular your understanding of conversion between square kilometres and hectares. Apply trigonometry and Pythagoras' theorem.

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Work sample Year 9 Mathematics: Similar triangles

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 9 Mathematics. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation ...

Online

Australia's population: countries of birth - dataset

The dataset provides statistics about the estimated resident population, median age and sex ratio by countries of birth for the latest year of available data. It is periodically updated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The dataset is included in the list of related datasets on the page in MS Excel format.

Online

TIMES Module 21: Number and Algebra: rates and ratios - teacher guide

This is a 17-page guide for teachers. This module introduces the idea of ratios and rates. Ratios are used to compare two quantities. The emphasis is usually on comparing parts of the whole. Rates are a measure of how one quantity changes for every unit of another quantity. It relates the ideas of ratios, gradient and fractions.

Online

TIMES Module 15: Measurement and Geometry: Pythagoras's theorem - teacher guide

This is a 24-page guide for teachers. It contains proofs of Pythagoras's theorem and its converse, applications of Pythagoras's theorem and a discussion of Pythagorean triads. A history of Pythagoras's theorem concludes the module.

Online

TIMES Module 22: Measurement and Geometry: introductory trigonometry - teacher guide

This is a 20-page guide for teachers containing an introduction to the three basic trigonometric ratios. A history of trigonometry concludes the module.

Online

Trigonometry

This is a website designed for both teachers and students, which addresses content on trigonometry from the Australian Curriculum for year 9 students. It contains material on working with the similarity of right-angled triangles, the three basic trigonometric ratios, and solving problems with trigonometry. There are pages ...

Interactive

The Mathematical Toolkit

A 2D Shapes tool that can be used to create geometric objects such as quadrilaterals, circles, triangles, lines, arcs, rays, segments and vectors on a coordinate grid. Plot and label the vertices to reveal the internal angles, side lengths, area and perimeter, then manipulate the shapes on a grid to transform their shape ...

Interactive

The geometer's warehouse

This web-based, multimedia resource focuses on the geometry of the Stage 4 and Stage 5 Mathematics syllabus. It comprises 70 dynamic html worksheets, each exploring a different outcome in Stage 4 and Stage 5 geometry.

Video

ABC News: Space debris: the accuracy of space lasers

In space there are thousands of human-made objects (satellites and space junk) orbiting Earth. To avoid collision with space debris, satellites are manoeuvred out of its path. Discover how space debris is tracked using lasers, and about accuracy's effects on the lifetime of the satellite. Find out, using trigonometry, the ...

Online

reSolve: Tree Biomass

In this sequence of two lessons, students investigate how many trees would be required to supply paper for their school for a year. Students use similar triangles, Pythagoras' Theorem and algebra to design and construct a Biltmore stick, used to measure the diameter and height of a tree. They measure trees, calculate their ...

Online

reSolve: Mechanical Linkages: Similar Triangles

This sequence of lessons explores the geometry of similar triangles using two real world objects: ironing boards and pantographs. In the first lesson, students investigate different ironing board leg lengths and pivot positions using similar and congruent triangles. In the second lesson, they use their knowledge of parallelogram ...