Arc Bridges

ByBethany Vice Bowling •

Grade Level	10th
Subject Area	Mathematics - Geometry
Duration	Approximately 1 70-minute session
Background Knowledge	Students should know the concepts of radius, diameter, circumference, chord, radii, and arcs. They should also know the trigonometric ratios of right triangles. All of this information will be applied in the activity.
Author	Bethany Vice Bowling

Summary
This activity requires students to apply many different geometric and trigonometric concepts to real world problems involving a local arch bridge, the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge. It consists of a short introductory presentation and a handout with four questions that involve problem solving skills.

Objectives
1. Students will be able to apply the concepts of radius, diameter, and circumference to solve problems involving an arch bridge. 2. Students will be able to apply the concepts of chords, radii, and arcs to solve problems involving an arch bridge. 3. Students will be able to apply trigonometric functions to solve problems involving an arch bridge.

Materials Required
Presentation Handout Calculators

Ohio Standards

Mathematics

Grade 9
Geometry and Spatial Sense
• Apply proportions and right triangle trigonometric ratios to solve problems involving missing lengths and angle measures in similar figures.

Grade 10
Geometry and Spatial Sense
• Formally define and explain key aspects of geometric figures, including:
d. circles (radius, diameter, chord, circumference, major arc, minor arc, sector, segment, inscribed angle).
• Solve problems involving chords, radii and arcs within the same circle.