Circles, All the Same!?

Mathematics Learning Objective:

Students will be able to prove that all circles are similar with 100% accuracy.
Language Objective:
Students will have a deep understanding and the ability to verbally explain the following
geometric vocabulary: angle, similar, right triangle, isosceles triangle, circle, center, radius, side,
translate, and hypotenuse.
Essential Question:
Why are all circle similar?
Common Core State Mathematics Standards:
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.C.A.1 Prove that all circles are similar.
Materials:
Laptops, Projector, Geo_Lesson_CirclePractice.gsp, Video Links, Worksheet,
Geo_Lessomn_CircleProof.gsp
Notes to the Reader:
Students will need some background knowledge of Geometers Sketchpad prior to this lesson. If
they do not that is fine, however this lesson will take more than the allotted time per
exploration.
Detailed Plan for Instructional Time: 55 minutes

Time What is the teacher doing? What are students doing?

Informal Have multiple circles on the board. Students will observe the
Assessment Ask students if these circles look the same? Have circles on the board.
(5 minutes) them explain why they think so and why they think
not. Using deductive reasoning
they will decided whether
Monitor discussion and make sure both sides of the they think the circles are
conversation are represented. similar or not. They will
also provide their reasons
After discussion take a new poll, by having the for their answers.
students raise their hands, on whether they think
the circles look the same or not. See if anyone has Students will be respectful
changed their opinion based on the discussion. and courteous to other
that are speaking.
 Students will reflect on if
they have changed their
opinion on the circles
being similar or not, and
submit their thoughts by
participating in the poll

First Separate the students into pairs, each pair will have Students will arrange
Exploration a laptop. themselves next to their
(10 perspective partner.
minutes) Have all students open Geometers Sketchpad to
the file Students will open the
Geo_Lesson_CirclePractice.gsp GSP file.

Tell the students to use this file to prove or Students will begin
disprove that all circles are similar. Direct students moving the red circle
to start with the red circle and manipulate it to see round. Trying to get it to
if it is the same as the other circles. overlap with all the other
blue circles.
Is it enough proof that we can simply move
(translate and dilate) the circles to be the same, Then, reflect on the
making them similar? question asked. Coming
up with reasons as to why
Does this file represent all the possible circles? or why not they think this
is enough proof that all
circles are similar.
Video Using a projector, have the students watch this Students will watch the
(7 min) short video. video the first time to
take the information in,
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/geometry/hs- without taking notes.
geo-circles/hs-geo-circle-basics/v/seeing-circle-
similarity-through-translation-and-dilation Students will watch the
video a second time,
Pass out Video: Circle Similarity Worksheet filling out a worksheet of
notes to go along with it.
Replay the video and have students fill out the
sheet. Students will reflect on if
this video is a convincing
Read off the correct answers to the worksheet and argument.
collect for participation points.

Tell students this might be one, rather easy, way

to prove that all circles are similar but I would like
 to come up with another proof that involved what
we have been learning in class
Second Using a projector, play the first two minutes of this Students will silently
Exploration video for students. Be sure to stop at the two- watch the video.
(27 minute mark. This is review so students
minutes) should have a great
https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/6602- understanding.
establish-circle-similarity-using-similar-triangles However, they may take
notes during the video.
Have all students open Geometers Sketchpad to
the file Students will open the
Geo_Lesson_CircleProof.gsp GSP file and begin
following the prompts.
Tell the students that they are to use this file to
prove that are circles are similar using similar There will be questions
triangles. about Geometers
There is some scaffolded guidance within the file, Sketchpads functions.
however encourage the students to be as creative
as possible. Students will need to
include measurements
Walk around and monitor progress, answering proving the triangles are
questions when needed. similar.

Remind students that they need measurements in Students may use

their proof, showing the similarity! different proofs.

Encourage students that there are multiple ways to Students will converse
prove two triangles similar! (SSS, SAS, ..) with partners and
convince them of their
Does your file represent all the possible circles? findings.

Once the students have felt they completed their Students will turn in their
proof have them show and discuss with their completed file.
partners about their findings.

Have all students submit their completed work in a

GSP file with their name in the title, such as
Norris_Geo_Lesson_CircleProof.gsp
Wrap-Up Play the last three minutes of the video above. Students will watch the
(6 minutes video and compare it to
Explain to the students that there can be more than what they found as their
one way to prove something! own proof.
 Ask students to raise their hands for how many Students will answer the
students used SSS? How many students used SAS? question based on their
How many students used something else? proof.

Sources:
Video: Khan Academy, Proof: all circles are similar by Sal
<https://www.khanacademy.org/math/geometry/hs-geo-circles/hs-geo-circle-basics/v/seeing-
circle-similarity-through-translation-and-dilation>
Video: LearnZillion, Establish Circle Similarity using Similar Triangles by Leah Weimerskirch
<https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/6602-establish-circle-similarity-using-similar-triangles>
 Name: _______________________

Video: Circle Similarity Worksheet

Watch the video and respond to the questions with short answer or fill in the blank.
1. What type of circle does Sal start with?

2. Sal is going to _____________ and ___________ the original circle to map it onto each
other circle.

3. Moving the circle around means Sal is ______________ the circle.

4. Making the circle larger means Sal is ___________ the circle.

5. If you can map one __________ to another through translation and dilation, then those
things are ___________.

6. Therefore, Sal concludes that all ____________ are ___________.

7. Does Sal provide a convincing argument?

Lesson Worked Out:
Geo_Lesson_CirclePractice.gsp File without any manipulations

Same file after exploration with the red circle

Origional File for Geo_Lesson_CircleProof.gsp

Possible Student completed file for Geo_Lesson_CircleProof.gsp