Wana Buy a Bridge?

By Amy Dimmerling •

Grade Level	10th
Subject Area	Geometry
Duration	1-80 min class period
Setting	Standard Classroom
Background Knowledge	Students must know and understand Pythagorean’s Theorem.
Author	Amy Dimmerling

Summary
Students will be working in pairs acting as estimators bidding on a bridge. They are to calculate the lengths of each member of the truss. After calculating this, they need to calculate the cost of the bridge. This exercise is repeated with two different types of truss bridges.

Objectives
1.Students will increase their understanding of Pythagorean Theorem. 2. Students will further develop their conversation skills. 3. Students will develop the skills needed to work as a team.

Mateirals Required
Worksheet packet Occupation Sheets Writing implement Calculator Ruler

Ohio Standards

Mathematics

Geometry and Spatial Sense Standard

o Spatial Relationships

• Make, test and establish the validity of conjectures about geometric properties and relationships using counterexample, inductive and deductive reasoning, and paragraph or two-column proof, including prove the Pythagorean Theorem

Patterns, Functions and Algebra Standard

o Use Algebraic Representations

• Solve real-world problems that can be modeled using linear, quadratic, exponential, or square root functions.