You have worked with figures that are similar and have learned how to calculate angles and side lengths to identify similarity. Put these skills together to plan a design for a scale model. Showing how these concepts effectively work in the real world involves clear communication and the ability to defend your conclusions to others.
In your post, describe your design to your peers:
State the real-world figure you will model and the scale factor you will use.
Identify at least two different but significant items on your model.
Explain how you will determine the calculations and dimensions for these items to make them mathematically similar to the actual items.
Describe the specific mathematical skills you will need to create the design and give examples.
Describe some outside sources you may need for the calculations.
Then read two of your peers’ descriptions of their designs. Respond to two of your peers:
Describe what is effective about the design.
Describe the flaws or challenges you observe in the design.
Suggest some improvements in the design.
Post a detailed response to the Similar Figures Discussion prompt. Then respond to two classmates' posts.
Participate in the discussion to learn more about using similar figures to design a scale model.
Design:
I have decided to model a famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, as my scale model. I will use a scale factor of 1:100 to create the miniature version of the tower.
Two significant items on my model will be the base of the tower and one of the intricate iron lattice work sections. To determine the dimensions for these items, I will first need to calculate the actual measurements of the base and one lattice work section of the Eiffel Tower. Then, I will use the scale factor of 1:100 to determine the corresponding dimensions for my scale model. This will involve calculating angles and side lengths to ensure that these items are mathematically similar to the actual ones.
Specific mathematical skills needed for this design include calculating angles using trigonometry, determining side lengths using proportions, and using the concept of similarity to ensure accuracy in scaling down the measurements of the Eiffel Tower.
I may need outside sources such as architectural blueprints of the Eiffel Tower, online resources with precise measurements, and possibly a geometry textbook for reference.
Responses:
1. Peer A's design effectively captures the intricate details of the Eiffel Tower through the use of the scale model. The calculations and dimensions seem to be well-thought-out and mathematically accurate. One improvement could be to include more details on how the scaling was done and the specific calculations used.
2. Peer B's design may have flaws in terms of accuracy in scaling down the dimensions of the Eiffel Tower. The use of the scale factor should be clearly explained and justified in order to create a realistic scale model. A suggestion for improvement would be to provide more detailed calculations and examples of how the scale factor was applied to the measurements of the Eiffel Tower.