Parallelogram

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A web page and interactive applet showing the definition and properties of a parallelogram. The applet shows a parallelogram where the user can drag any vertex. The other points then move in such a way that the figure remains a parallelogram at all times. A control to hide the details allows a classroom discussion where students can try to infer what the properties are as it is reshaped by the discussion leader. Text on the page has the formal definition and properties of the parallelogram with links to related pages. A companion page is http://www.mathopenref.com/parallelogramarea.html showing the ways to calculate the area of a parallelogram Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Perimeter of a polygon

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A web page and interactive applet show how to compute the perimeter of a polygon. A polygon is shown that can be resized by dragging its vertices. As you drag, the perimeter is continuously recalculated. Text on the page explains that the perimeter is the sum of the sides. For those who prefer it, in a formula that is given. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference interactive geometry reference book project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Perpendicular lines. (Coordinate Geometry)

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An interactive applet and associated web page that show how to determine of one line is perpendicular to another in coordinate geometry. The principle used is that if two lines a re perpendicular to each other the slope of one is the negative reciprocal of the other. The applet shows to lines that the user can move. The slopes are continuously calculated as you drag them, and if the they are parallel they change color. The calculation is shown on screen updated continuously as you drag. The grid, axis pointers and coordinates can be turned on and off. The calculation display can be turned off to permit class exercises and then turned back on the verify the answers. The applet can be printed as it appears on the screen to make handouts. The web page has a full description of the concept of perpendicularity, a worked example and has links to other pages relating to coordinate geometry. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Polygon

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate polygons. The applet shows a polygon which is initially an irregular convex pentagon. The user can drag any vertex and a message shows if it becomes concave. The user can also alter the number of sides from 3 to 99, the title changing to reflect it's name up to 12 sides. You can also make it regular, dragging a vertex then changes all vertices to maintain it as regular. The web page has many definitions and links to the various forms and orders of polygon. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Quadratic curve and graph display

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An interactive applet that allows the user to graphically explore the properties of a quadratic equation. Specifically, it is designed to foster an intuitive understanding of the effects of changing the three coefficients in the function. The applet shows a large graph of a quadratic (ax^2 + bx +c) and has three slider controls, one each for the coefficients a,b and c. As the sliders are moved, the graph is redrawn in real time illustrating the effects of these variations. The roots of the equation are shown both graphically and numerically, including the case where the roots are imaginary. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Rectangle Area and Perimeter. (Coordinate Geometry)

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An interactive applet and associated web page that show the definition and properties of a rectangle in coordinate geometry. The applet has a rectangle with draggable vertices. As the user re-sizes the rectangle the applet continuously recalculates its width, height and diagonals from the vertex coordinates. Rectangle can be rotated on the plane to show the more complex cases. The grid, coordinates and calculations can be turned on and off for class problem solving. The applet can be printed in the state it appears on the screen to make handouts. The web page has a full definition of a rectangle when the coordinates of the points defining it are known, and has links to other pages relating to coordinate geometry. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Rectangle and its properties. (Coordinate Geometry)

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An interactive applet and associated web page showing how to find the area and perimeter of a rectangle from the coordinates of its vertices. The rectangle can be either parallel to the axes or rotated. The grid and coordinates can be turned on and off. The area and perimeter calculation can be turned off to permit class exercises and then turned back on the verify the answers. The applet can be printed as it appears on the screen to make handouts. The web page has a full description of the method for determining area and perimeter, a worked example and has links to other pages relating to coordinate geometry. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Relationship of area and perimeter of a triangle

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An interactive applet and associated web page that show the relationship between the perimeter and area of a triangle. It shows that a triangle with a constant perimeter does NOT have a constant area. The applet has a triangle with one vertex draggable and a constant perimeter. As you drag the vertex, it is clear that the area varies, even though the perimeter is constant. Optionally, you can see the path traced by the dragged vertex and see that it forms an ellipse. A link takes you to a page where this effect is exploited to construct an ellipse with string and pins. The applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Right Angle

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate a right angle (those equal to 90 deg). The applet presents an angle (initially 90 deg) that the user can adjust by dragging the end points of the line segments forming the angle. As it changes it shows the angle measure and a message that indicate which type of angle it is. There a software 'detents' that make it easy capture exact angles such as 90 degrees and 180 degrees The message and angle measures can be turned off to facilitate classroom discussion. The text on the page has links to other pages defining each angle type in depth. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Right triangle

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate the three types of triangle: acute, obtuse and right. The applet shows a triangle that is initially right (one angle 90 degrees) which the user can reshape by dragging any vertex. There is a message changes in real time while the triangle is being dragged that tells if the triangle is an acute, right or obtuse triangle and gives the reason why. By experimenting with the triangle student can develop an intuitive sense of the difference between these three classes of triangle. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Similar Triangles

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate the concept of similar triangles. Applets show that triangles are similar if the are the same shape and possibly rotated, or reflected. In each case the user can drag one triangle and see how another triangle changes to remain similar to it. The web page describes all this and has links to other related pages. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Similar polygons and triangles defined

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate the concept of similar polygons. Applets show that polygons are similar if the are the same shape and possibly rotated, or reflected. In each case the user can drag one polygons and see how another polygons changes to remain similar to it. The web page describes all this and has links to other related pages. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Slope (m) of a line (Coordinate Geometry)

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate the slope (m) of a line. The applet has two points that define a line. As the user drags either point it continuously recalculates the slope. The rise and run are drawn to show the two elements used in the calculation. The grid, axis pointers and coordinates can be turned on and off. The slope calculation can be turned off to permit class exercises and then turned back on the verify the answers. The applet can be printed as it appears on the screen to make handouts. The web page has a full description of the concept of slope, a worked example and has links to other pages relating to coordinate geometry. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Supplementary Angles

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate supplementary angles (two angles that add to 180 degrees.) The applet shows two angles which, while not adjacent, are drawn to strongly suggest visually that they add to a straight angle. Any point defining the angle scan be dragged, and as you do so, the other angle changes to remain supplementary to the one you change. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Trapezoid area and perimeter. (Coordinate Geometry)

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An interactive applet and associated web page showing how to find the area and perimeter of a trapezoid from the coordinates of its vertices. The trapezoid can be either parallel to the axes or rotated. The grid and coordinates can be turned on and off. The area and perimeter calculation can be turned off to permit class exercises and then turned back on the verify the answers. The applet can be printed as it appears on the screen to make handouts. The web page has a full description of the method for determining area and perimeter, a worked example and has links to other pages relating to coordinate geometry. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Triangle

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An interactive applet and associated web page that introduce the concept of a triangle. The applet shows a triangle where the user can drag the vertices to reshape it. As it is being dragged a base and altitude are shown continuously changing. Demonstrates that the altitude may require the base to be extended. The text on the page lists the properties of a triangle and lists the various triangle types, with links to a definition of each. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Triangle Circumcenter

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The applet shows a triangle which the user can resize by dragging any of its vertices. It shows the three perpendicular bisectors of the sides and the point where they intersect - the circumcenter. These track the changes in the triangle in real time. It shows that the circumcenter may lie outside the triangle. The associated web page describes the properties of the circumcenter and points out that it the center of the triangle's circumcircle. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Triangle exterior angles

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate the exterior angles of a triangle. The applet shows a triangle where the user can drag any vertex to reshape it. The exterior angles are shown and a running calculation shows that no matter how you change the triangle, the exterior angles always add up to 360 degrees An exterior angle is equal to the sum of the opposite interior angles Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Triangle inequality

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate the concept of triangle inequality. The applet shows a triangle where the vertices can be dragged to reshape the triangle It shows that no matter what you do, the longest side is always shorter than the sum of the other two. Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference Interactive Geometry textbook project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page

Triangle similarity, ratios of area

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An interactive applet and associated web page that demonstrate that in similar triangles, the ratio of their areas is the square of the ratio of the sides. As you drag one triangle to resize it, it remains similar to another and the ratios of sides and areas is calculated as you drag. One can be seen to be the square of the other at all times. A slight 'snap-to' effect allows easy selection of integer ratios (2:4 etc). Applet can be enlarged to full screen size for use with a classroom projector. This resource is a component of the Math Open Reference interactive geometry reference book project at http://www.mathopenref.com.

Material Type: Reading, Simulation

Author: John Page