HISTORICAL MARITIME PERSPECTIVES • "RIGHTS" OF PYTHAGORUS

Title: The "Rights" of Pythagorus

(Ship and Sail Design)

Grade Level(s): 6-8

Introduction: Pythagorus of Samos was a Greek philosopher who lived 560 – 480 BC. He was also a religious leader who was responsible for major developments in mathematics, astronomy and music theory. He started a “secret” society called the “Pythagoreans”. They lived in communes and since they believed in reincarnation, they were also vegetarians. They didn't want to eat animals that they believed might be friends or relatives that have died and come back in this form. One of his most important theories is the Pythagorean theorem that states that in a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the legs is equal to the square of the hypotenuse.

Learner Objective(s):

The students will be able to find the missing measures of sides of a right triangle, given two of the sides and using the Pythagorean theorem. They will also be able to round numbers to a given place value.

Florida Sunshine State Standards: Math: MA.C.3.1.1, MA.C.2.3.1, Science: SC.H.1.3.5

Competency Based Curriculum: Math: M/J-3-IV-6-A, IV-7-A,
Science: M/J-1-I-8-A

Materials:

Paper
Pencil
Worksheet

Activity Procedures:

1. Each student will be given a worksheet with word problems using the Pythagorean Theorem in order to find the missing measure.
   
   
2. The students will be expected to round their answers to the nearest hundredth, therefore a review of rounding is necessary.

Student Assessment:

1. Allow students to answer critical thinking questions assigned by teacher about the Pythagorean Theorem and relating to real life situations.
   
   
2. Discuss the different types of careers that may use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems applied to that career.
   
   
3. Allow students to work on worksheet provided by teacher.
   
   
4. Allow students to use rounding when answering the problems on the worksheet.

Activity Extensions:

1. Encourage students to research Pythagorus and his “secret” society.
   
   
2. Encourage students to learn more about the beliefs of Pythagorus and his followers concerning reincarnation.
   
   
3. Encourage students to learn more about communal living – its advantages and disadvantages.

Home Learning Activity:

Find a career that may use the Pythagorean Theorem and tell how it is used to solve problems relating to that career.

References/Related Links:

http://www.anatolia.edu.gr/samara/eppinga/math/math_eppinga.html
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/3740/