Geometry Lesson

Centers of Triangles: Bisectors, Medians, Altitudes & Inequalities

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High SchoolThin-SlicingCCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.CO.C.10, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.CO.D.1250 min
Learning Objective

Students will classify and construct angle bisectors, perpendicular bisectors, medians, and altitudes in triangles; identify their points of concurrency (incenter, circumcenter, centroid, orthocenter); apply the centroid ratio theorem; and use triangle inequality to determine valid side lengths and angle-side relationships.

Lesson Overview

Students progress from identifying basic segment types in triangles to applying concurrency theorems and triangle inequality reasoning, building conceptual understanding through collaborative vertical-surface work.

Materials

  • Vertical whiteboards or chart paper
  • Dry-erase markers (multiple colors)
  • Rulers and protractors
  • Random grouping tool
  • Printed coordinate grids (optional)

Scaffolded Task Progression

1Task 1
In triangle $DEF$ below, segment $DG$ is drawn from vertex $D$ to side $EF$. Three students make claims: - Aliya says $DG$ is a **median** because $G$ is the midpoint of $EF$. - Ben says $DG$ is an **altitude** because it looks perpendicular. - Carla says $DG$ is an **angle bisector** because it splits $\angle D$. For each claim, state what ONE piece of evidence you would need to confirm or deny it. ```geometry {"figureType":"triangle","angles":{"D":48,"E":62},"vertexLabels":["D","E","F"],"angleLabels":{"D":"","E":"","F":""},"showAngles":false,"title":"Triangle DEF with cevian DG"} ```
2Task 2
In triangle , is the midpoint of . Find the length of median if , , and .

Then identify: does also appear to be an altitude? Justify using slope.

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