8.4-8.5 Similar Triangles

Now the benchmark problems!

Today we looked at similar triangles. The main way to prove triangles are similar, some additional ways to prove they are similar, and some examples of the upcoming benchmarks (BM 25, 27, and 28). Notice there are a lot of “proving” triangles are similar? Don’t let that get you down, it’s our only “proof” benchmark.

The assignment for today is #3 483 #9-27 (odd), 39-47 (odd), 50-53, 55, 62-65. We will continue with these sections next week.

Coming Up: HW Quiz on Monday, 1/14

Posting for Points Question:

What are the various ways to prove triangles are similar?

8.3 Similar Polygons

Armed with our knowledge of proportions we started looking at similar polygons, which will lead us to similar triangles (which are our benchmarks for this unit). Like congruency, similarity uses corresponding parts to match up, so when we write a similarity statement the order matters. Our assignment today is #2 page 476 #9, 15-23 (all), 29-41 (odd), 44, 59-67 (odd).

Coming Up: Book Day tomorrow and HW Quiz #1 on Monday, 1/14

Posting for Points Question:

Write a similarity statement and list the congruent and proportional parts.

Example: Triangle ABC ~ Triangle PQR, so angle A = angle P, angle B = angle Q, angle C = angle R, and also AB/PQ = BC/QR = AC/PR.

Here we go again!

Welcome back to all of you! I hope you had a happy holidays. While I didn’t get an iPhone for Christmas, I did get a lot of projects accomplished around the house and really enjoyed the time with my family.

After a few announcements and information about some policy updates, we jumped right into the curriculum. Today we started looking at similarity. In order to understand similarity, we need to understand proportions. After a few examples of setting up proportions, we got our assignment: #1 page 461 #11-47 (odd).

Coming up: Book Day tomorrow and our first HW Quiz on Monday, 1/14

Posting for Points Question:

What is a proportion? How do you solve a proportion? Give an example.

Potential Grades

While I still have a few misc. assignments to record (and you have a few benchmarks to retake!), I have put a few grade reports up so you can see how the final can affect your grade.

Best Case Final (if you were to get 100% on the final)

Worst Case Final (if you were to get a 0%)

Practice Final (your practice final grade as your actual final).

Midsegments

Another slight change in plans- no benchmark retakes today, we will retake them next week.

First off, we got back our benchmarks from before Thanksgiving and went over them. We also got the solutions to the benchmark review from yesterday. Check them out here.

We then took a look at Midsegments, their properties, and some examples of benchmark 20 (to be taken next Thursday). The homework assignment is #39 page 290 #12-19 (all), 21, 22, 28, 29, 47-49 (all). We also have another grade report due, too.

Coming up:

• Grade Report #3 due Thurs/Fri block (11/29-30)
• Study Group on Friday after school
• Chapter 4 Test on Monday, 12/3
• Practice Final Thurs/Fri, 12/6-7
• Benchmark Deadline Tuesday, Dec. 11
• Final Exams: Wed. 13-Period 4, Fri. 14-Period 5 and 6

Posting for Points Question:

What is a midsegment. What are the two properties of a midsegment? Give an example of finding a midsegment or 3rd side within a triangle.

Benchmark Review 2

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. Due to my absence today, my plans for the last few weeks of the semester got seriously altered. No worries, we’ll get it done.

Today we worked on the Benchmark Review #2. This review covered a lot of the benchmarks we took last week before Thanksgiving. Performance wasn’t what I hoped, mostly due to tiny mistakes (like a ASA instead of AAS, solving for x and not plugging it back in, the last reason of a proof incorrect), so we will work on those. However, we only have 2 weeks left to figure it out!

Here’s the link to download.

Coming up:

Benchmarks 14, 18, 19, 20 (new one!), 21, 22, and 24 on Tuesday/Wednesday Block

Grade Report #3 due Thursday/Friday block

Chapter 4 Test on Monday, 12/3