MR13

Chae Un Ok 03/21/11 Block B

Mathematical Reflection 5 ** In this investigation, you used what you know about similar triangles to find heights of buildings and to estimate other inaccessible distances. These questions will help you summarize what you have learned: ** **__1. Explain at least two ways you can use similar triangles to measure things in the real world. Illustrate your ideas with an example.__** 1. Similar triangles can help me figure out the real dimensions of an object by simply looking at the picture. 2. Similar triangles can help me figure out the area of a real object by simply looking at the picture of the object. **__2. What properties of similar triangles are useful for estimating distances and heights?__** Parallel Lines, Angles, Side Lengths and Scale Factors are all important properties for estimating distances and heights using similar triangles. **__3. If you take any two similar triangles and place the small triangle on top of the large triangle so that a pair of corresponding angles match, what can you say about the sides of the two triangles opposite these corresponding angles?__** The sides opposite to the angles would be parallel to each other. So, the corresponding sides would be parallel to each other. __**Summary**__ I learned that similar triangles can help me find the size of a real object by seeing the image. I also learned how to find the area of a small object from a bigger object. I learned that parallel lines, corresponding angles and corresponding sides are important properties of similar triangles. Finally, I learned that scale factors can help me find lengths and area of similar triangles.