Solving right triangle scenarios

As we move closer to wrapping up the right triangle trigonometry unit, the emphasis is on solving right triangles. I am using the Solving Right Triangles Using Trigonometric Ratios section from Mathematics Vision Project.

I started the class by going through the answers to the last three problems for the Finding the Value of a Relationship packet. Overall, students seemed to understand what the answers should be or, if they missed an answer, why they missed the answer.

Next, I passed out the next set of problems and emphasized that everyone should be able to draw a representation of the described situation. I let students work through the first couple of problems. Although the class tends to be slow at working through the relationships they can use to answer the question, they are getting better at understanding when they made an incorrect decision. For example, students find that they get leg lengths greater than the hypotenuse when they choose the wrong trigonometric ratio or apply the ratio incorrectly, perhaps by swapping the roles of opposite and adjacent side. They know they did something wrong but aren't always sure how to correct it.

Some students still struggle with the ideas or just aren't putting effort into learning how to use trigonometric ratios. For these students, I asked them to make the representations since they should be able to do at least that.

I let students work through the first few problems. For homework, I told the class to come next class with drawings for all seven problems. We'll discuss the first 2 problems and share out what people did. I am hopeful that this will give some needed direction for students who are still struggling with the material.