Ohio Resource Center
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Content Supports - Activities and rich problems
Finding the Height of a Lamp Pole
Discipline
Mathematics
Grades
9, 10, 11, 12
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Professional Commentary

Have students determine the height of a lamp pole, or some other large object, using trigonometric relationships. Then have students find the height of the object using just linear distance(s) and similar triangles. This mathematically rich problem was prepared by the Ohio Resource Center to accompany the Mathematics Program Models for Ohio High Schools developed by the Ohio Department of Education. (author/sw)


Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
High School - Geometry
Similarity, Right Triangles, and Trigonometry
Define trigonometric ratios and solve problems involving right triangles
HSG-SRT.C.6 
Understand that by similarity, side ratios in right triangles are properties of the angles in the triangle, leading to definitions of trigonometric ratios for acute angles.
HSG-SRT.C.8 
Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems.
Ohio Mathematics Academic Content Standards (2001)
Geometry and Spatial Sense Standard
Benchmarks (8–10)
B.
Describe and apply the properties of similar and congruent figures; and justify conjectures involving similarity and congruence.
I.
Use right triangle trigonometric relationships to determine lengths and angle measures.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 8)
3.
Use proportions in several forms to solve problems involving similar figures (part-to-part, part-to-whole, corresponding sides between figures).
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 9)
1.
Define the basic trigonometric ratios in right triangles: sine, cosine and tangent.
2.
Apply proportions and right triangle trigonometric ratios to solve problems involving missing lengths and angle sizes in similar figures.
Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
Geometry Standard
Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships
Expectations (6–8)
create and critique inductive and deductive arguments concerning geometric ideas and relationships, such as congruence, similarity, and the Pythagorean relationship.
Expectations (9–12)
use trigonometric relationships to determine lengths and angle measures.