In this activity, students will [b]relate the definitions of trigonometric ratios to a property of similar triangles. [/b]
Note that dragging [i]E[/i] moves Line [i]DE[/i] along Ray [i]AB[/i]. Line [i]DE [/i]was constructed to be perpendicular to Ray [i]AB[/i]. This makes Triangle [i]ADE[/i] a right triangle.
As you drag [i]E[/i], Triangle [i]ADE[/i] is changed, but what relationship exists between all these versions of Triangle [i]ADE[/i]?
As you drag [i]C[/i], Triangle [i]ADE[/i] is changed, but what relationship exists between all these versions of Triangle [i]ADE[/i]?
When you compared the values in Table 1 to values in a trigonometric table, what column did they match with?
What did you observe about the multiple trials using the same angle in Table 1?
When you compared the values in Table 3 to values in a trigonometric table, what column did they match with?
What did you observe about the multiple trials using the same angle in Table 3?
Remember that [b]complementary angles[/b] add up to 90 degrees.