Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Designing Your Area

Area and Perimeter of Regular Polygons

Michell Eike, Teresa Lansford | Published: April 3rd, 2024 by K20 Center

  • Grade Level Grade Level 9th, 10th
  • Subject Subject Mathematics
  • Course Course Geometry
  • Time Frame Time Frame 70-90 minutes
  • Duration More 2 periods

Summary

In this lesson, students will use their existing knowledge to find the area and perimeter of triangles, rectangles, and trapezoids to discover how to find the area of a regular polygon and apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Essential Question(s)

How do you find the area of any regular polygon?

Snapshot

Engage

Students recall what they know about finding the area and perimeter of composite figures.

Explore

Students explore the relationship between the area of a triangle and the area of a regular polygon.

Explain

Students complete guided notes with the class and formalize their understanding of the formula for the area of a regular polygon and learn the definition of apothem.

Extend

Students apply what they have learned to find the area of each surface of a pool to give a cost estimate for ordering tile.

Evaluate

Students determine the quantity of materials needed to build and paint a frame for an octagonal mirror.

Materials

  • Lesson Slides (attached)

  • Composite Figures handout (attached; one per pair; printed front only)

  • Exploring Patterns handout (attached; one per pair; printed front only)

  • Guided Notes handout (attached; one per student; printed front only)

  • Polygon Pool Party handout (attached; one per pair; printed front/back)

  • DIY Mirror handout (attached; one per student; printed front only)

  • Pencil

  • Scientific calculators

  • Student devices with Internet access

Engage

20 Minute(s)

Introduce the lesson using the attached Lesson Slides. Slide 3 displays the lesson’s essential question. Slide 4 identifies the lesson’s learning objectives. Review each of these with your class to the extent you feel necessary.

Instruct students to find a partner or assign students partners. Pass out scientific calculators to each student. Go to slide 5. Give each pair a copy of the Composite Figures handout. Here students are asked to find the area and perimeter of each composite figure. Once students have completed the handout, use a modified Think-Pair-Share strategy and have students find another pair of students to discuss their results and thought process.

Show slides 6–9, giving students time to check their work on each composite figure. Ask volunteers to share different methods of finding the area and/or perimeter of each figure, as time allows.

Explore

20 Minute(s)

Display slide 10 and pass out the Exploring Patterns handout to each pair of students. Provide students with the link to the GeoGebra activity: https://www.geogebra.org/m/x4tsbeuz. Have students work with their partner to complete the handout. Here, students explore the relationships between the area of one triangle, the number of sides of a polygon, and the area of a regular polygon. During this exploration, students should record the area of one triangle and number of sides of each polygon in the GeoGebra activity. On the handout, students are asked to use those two given details to determine the area of each regular polygon. The GeoGebra activity demonstrates how each n-gon is made up of n congruent triangles, starting with an octagon down to a triangle.

Explain

10 Minute(s)

Display slide 11. Give each student a copy of the Guided Notes handout. Complete the handout as a class. Have students add this to their math notebook if that is a classroom norm.

Extend

30 Minute(s)

Now it is time for students to apply what they have learned; display slide 12. Give each pair of students the Polygon Pool Party handout. Instruct students to work with their partner to find the area of each surface of the pool and record their results on the back side of the handout. Here students are asked to find the square footage of each surface of the pool to determine the cost of tiling the pool. Students are also asked to find the area of the concrete patio surrounding the pool.

Evaluate

10 Minute(s)

Use the Exit Ticket strategy to individually assess what students have learned from the lesson. Go to slide 18 and give each student the DIY Mirror handout. Students are asked to find the area and perimeter of the frame of a regular octagonal mirror.

After students have submitted their work, unhide and show slides 19 and 20. Give students time to reflect on their thinking. Use student responses to see what misconceptions still exist.

Resources