Elements of a triangle

Elements of a triangle are the angles that are formed when three lines intersect and the segments that mark the triangle are sides.

Objectives

 * To understand the elements of a triangle

Prerequisites/Instructions, prior preparations, if any
Prior knowledge of point, lines, angles, parallel lines

Materials/ Resources needed

 * Digital : Computer, geogebra application, projector.
 * Non digital : Worksheet and pencil,6-8 strings (preferably in different colours)
 * Geogebra files : “Elements of a triangle.ggb”

Process (How to do the activity)

 * Students work individually but in their groups.
 * Take the strings and place them in such a way as to make a closed figure.
 * What is the smallest number of strings with which you can form a closed figure?
 * What is this figure called?
 * Can you just draw the lines along the strings and see what you get?
 * When you drew, what did you draw?  (Was it a line or was it an angle or was it a line segment?). It is a lime segment – how many line segments are there?
 * When two line segments joined, what is it called?  (A vertex). How many vertices are there?
 * Is there any angle formed when you made this figure? How many angles were formed?
 * Show a simple Geogebra file with triangles – Use this file to demonstrate that every triangle has the elements - vertices, sides and angles
 * How many triangles were formed?  Were there any strings left over?
 * For each of the triangles trace the shape on the book and write down the elements of the triangle in the following format
 * For each of the triangles observe (inspect visually) which is the longest side and which is the shortest side
 * Allow the students to explore if there is any connection between the two?
 * After the students see the Geogebra file, they can attempt an alternative worksheet like below
 * Evaluation at the end of the activity
 * 1) Have the students been able to identify the elements in a triangle?
 * 2) Have they been able to extrapolate any connection between the angle and side in a triangle?