- View more resources from this publisherSomething in Common
Tooltip
These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.
Wedged triangles
In this resource students are given an image of a reciprocal curve, y=k/x. Two tangents to the curve are used, together with the coordinate axes, to form an 'arrow head' quadrilateral under the curve. The challenge is to determine the area of the quadrilateral.
The first step towards solving the problem involves determining the equation of the reciprocal, which is achieved by substitution of either of the given points. Differentiation yields the gradients of the tangents, leading on to finding the equation of the line in each case.
An extension to the problem develops the situation further by reflecting one of the points of intersection and drawing the resulting triangle. Combining the triangles yields an arrow head. The task becomes one of finding the area of the arrowhead.
Show health and safety information
Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.
Downloads
-
Wedged triangles (activity sheet) 131.48 KB
-
Wedged triangles (presentation) 416.19 KB
Show downloads
-
Wedged triangles (activity sheet) 131.48 KB -
-
Wedged triangles (presentation) 416.19 KB
Download all files as a .zip540.72 KB
Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.
