(formerly http://www.teleport.com/~bizave/portland/bridges/Interstate-Bridge.html)
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Chapter 1
Communicating in Geometry
Mathematics is a language, just as English or French are
languages. The language of mathematics includes numbers ( such as 2,
3/4, 1.414), symbols (>, =, + ), as well as mathematical names for
things (multiply, integer, factor). Geometry has its own set of
mathematical names for things. The elements of geometry describe
shapes (such as square, circle, cube) and relationships (equal,
congruent, area, similar).
The basic elements of geometry are illustrated below. They can be found in nature, art, and in most human-made forms around us. Look around you, look in books, and look on the internet: you can find many examples of these geometric figures.
Communicating in geometry requires knowing the definitions of geometric terms, and having some experience in drawing geometric figures. In Connected Geometry, you will learn to draw two and three-dimensional geometric shapes with paper, pencil, protractor and ruler. This type of drawing is called a "geometric construction", and it is more accurate than a drawing done with just pencil and paper and ruler.
Illustrate each of the 6 basic geometric elements with sketches and with words: give definitions and examples from the world around you (example: "a fence post is an example of a segment". The elements of geometry you should draw in GSP are point, segment, ray, line, angle and triangle as shown below. This photo of a bridge came from an interesting internet website on the Bridges of Oregon. But the last time I checked, the website was no longer on the internet. Sometimes this does happen on the internet, as you may already know.
(formerly http://www.teleport.com/~bizave/portland/bridges/Interstate-Bridge.html)
Back to Connecting Geometry Home Page