Mathematics / Year 9 / Measurement and Geometry / Using units of measurement

Curriculum content descriptions

Calculate areas of composite shapes (ACMMG216)

Elaborations
  • understanding that partitioning composite shapes into rectangles and triangles is a strategy for solving problems involving area
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Area,  Polygons

Video

Maths inside bees and beehives

Bees are necessary for assisting many plants to produce the food we eat, including meat and milk. Colony collapse disorder, which describes the disappearance of beehives, could have catastrophic effects on food production. Australian scientists are applying their maths and science knowledge to build up a picture of a healthy ...

Online

reSolve: Monte Carlo Simulations

This sequence of two lessons explores how statistical techniques that rely on randomly generated data can be used to solve problems. In the first lesson, students compare different methods for calculating the area of an irregular shape, using the context of oil spill maps. They are introduced to the Monte Carlo method for ...

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.

Downloadable

Measurement: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of measurement ideas. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in measurement including teaching and cultural implications.

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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 ...

Online

Secondary mathematics: using real data

These seven learning activities, which focus on the use of 'real data' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers use the three content strands ...

Interactive

Surface area of prisms

This is a five-page HTML resource about solving problems concerning surface areas of prisms. It contains one video and five questions, two of which are interactive. The resource discusses and explains solving problems involving determining surface areas of prisms to reinforce students' understanding.

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.

Video

Mystery man Pythagoras meets his match

What do you know about Pythagoras? Join Vi Hart as she not only explains his theorem but raises some legends about his dark past! Follow Vi's timeline of famous mathematicians to find out in which century Pythagoras lived. See how Vi shows a proof of his theorem and raises what was a big dilemma for Pythagoras: the irrational ...

Video

Modelling climate changes

There is a saying: 'climate is what you expect and weather is what you get'. |Understanding climate change is very difficult for most people, especially when the weather we experience is different from the information we are given by scientists about the climate changing. The difference is that weather reflects short-term ...

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 10: What is the strongest shape?

Are triangles really the strongest shapes ever? If so, why? Learn how and why right-angled and equilateral triangles have been used in engineering, architecture and design through the ages.

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In a spin

This resource is a web page containing a short task to explore volume of a solid shape. The task involves calculating the volume of the solid formed by rotating a right angled triangle about its hypotenuse A printable resource and solution is also available to support the task. This resource is an activity from the NRICH ...

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 ...

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 50: How to use a tetrahedron to solve the tree problem

How can you place four trees exactly the same distance apart from one other? By making a model! By using miniature trees to make a model of the problem, it becomes clear that a 2D solution is impossible. We learn how objects can help us visualise the problem situation, which in this case requires a 3D solution: a tetrahedron.

Online

reSolve: Pythagoras' Theorem - Lunch Lap

In this sequence of two lessons, students apply Pythagoras' Theorem to explore a practical problem involving optimising paths to lunch carts. In the first lesson, students investigate the length of a path that touches three sides of a rectangle, starting and finishing at the same point. They model the problem, use Pythagoras' ...

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: 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 ...

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Volume of a Pyramid and a Cone

This resource is a web page containing an investigative task to explore volume. Derive the formulae for the volumes of a square-based pyramid and a cone, using mathematical concepts. A printable resource is also available to support the task. This resource is an activity from the NRICH website.

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Indigo Interior

This resource is a web page containing a problem solving task that requires an understanding of Pythagoras' theorem. The task involves finding the area of shaded region with a circle with a known area. To solve the problem students need to establish a right angled triangle and apply Pythagoras' theorem. A printable resource ...