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Parallelogram To Rectangle

1) This document provides step-by-step instructions for creating a GeoGebra construction that offers a dynamic visual proof that any parallelogram can be turned into a rectangle with the same base and height. 2) The construction uses tools like segments, parallel lines, polygons, and sliders to first create a movable parallelogram, then a translated triangle that demonstrates the parallelogram can be turned into a rectangle. 3) Conditional formatting is applied to show and hide objects depending on the slider position, and labels are added to display the relationship between the base, height, and area as the figure is manipulated.

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Joh Don
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131 views3 pages

Parallelogram To Rectangle

1) This document provides step-by-step instructions for creating a GeoGebra construction that offers a dynamic visual proof that any parallelogram can be turned into a rectangle with the same base and height. 2) The construction uses tools like segments, parallel lines, polygons, and sliders to first create a movable parallelogram, then a translated triangle that demonstrates the parallelogram can be turned into a rectangle. 3) Conditional formatting is applied to show and hide objects depending on the slider position, and labels are added to display the relationship between the base, height, and area as the figure is manipulated.

Uploaded by

Joh Don
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Parallelogram to Rectangle

Visual Proof in GeoGebra


The purpose of this worksheet is to provide a step-by-step guide for
creating a construction that offers dynamic visual proof that any parallelogram
can be turned into a rectangle with the same base and height. Students with
GeoGebra experience may be able to move at a faster pace than those who are
newer to the program. Please, dont let us stop you. But, should you move
ahead, please do not ask a question about step 15 when the class is on step 5.
Also, if you finish your construction before the rest of the class, spend some time
tricking out your construction, or helping other students who are not done (if
they want your help!). These instructions are based on version RC 3 of GeoGebra
3.0 (11/20/07), which can be obtained by visiting www.geogebra.org and clicking
on the WebStart link. Other versions may have tools in other icon locations but
that should be the only difference. Please click on the View tab and check the
Algebra window option.
Here we go

Stage 1 Creating the Parallelogram


1) Using the tool Segment between two points (third icon from left), create
a diagonal segment,

. Create a second (horizontal) segment,

. These

will be adjacent sides of your parallelogram.


2) Click the Parallel line tool (fourth icon from left). Click Point B and then
click

3) Now click Point C and then click

4) Select Intersect two objects (second icon) to create Point D. This is the
intersection of the two parallel lines.
5) Select the Polygon tool (fifth icon) to fill in the parallelogram ACBD.
6) Select the Line through two points tool (third icon) and click on Points A
and C to create

7) Select the Perpendicular line tool (fourth icon). Make a perpendicular


line by clicking Point B and then Line e.
8) Select Intersect two objects to create Point E, which is the intersection
between Line e and Line f.
9) Choose Segment between two points (third icon) to create

. Right

click this new segment and rename it h.


10)
While in Move mode (first icon), double-click on any of the lines (in a
spot thats away from the parallelogram.) This will allow you to open the
Properties menu. Click the word Line from the menu on the left, and
select the Basic tab. Now, uncheck Show object and uncheck Show
label. This hides all the lines.

11)
Now click the word Segment. Under the Basic tab uncheck Show
label. This hides all segment labels. We need to keep the labels for b and
h, so go back and select those two segments and check Show label
Name and Value.
12)
Click the word Quadrilateral from the menu. You can click the Color
tab to personalize your parallelogram. Were finished with the properties,
so click on Done.
13)
Make sure you are set to Move mode. Now click and drag any of the
blue vertices to make sure your parallelogram is moveable.

Stage 2 Translating the Triangle


14)
Select the Slider tool (ninth icon). Name the slider t and set the
min at 0 and the max at 1.
15)
In the Input field (at the bottom), define Point F using the formula
F = A + t*(C-A). This creates a moveable point, F, from A to C
controlled by Slider t. At this point, click on the View tab and uncheck the
Algebra window to discontinue the automatic labeling feature.
16)
Select a Vector between two points (third icon). Click Point A,
then Point F.
17)
Click the Polygon tool. Create triangle ABE.
18)
Click the Translate object by vector tool (eighth icon). Click
triangle ABE and then click the vector.
19)
Right-click the vector and uncheck Show object to hide the vector.
The triangle should now translate as you move Slider t.

Stage 3 Conditional Showing and Hiding


20)
Set Slider t to 1.
21)
Right-click the original triangle to display its Properties. Click the
Color tab and choose white. Click the Style tab and choose Filling 100%.
Click the Advanced tab, and type t 0.
22)
Right-click the translated triangle to display its Properties. Click
the Color tab a different color. Click the Advanced tab, and type t 0.
23)
In the Input field, type area = b*h and hit Enter.
24)
Click the Insert text tool (ninth icon) and click anywhere on your
drawing pad away from your construction. Type Area = Base * Height
and hit OK.
25)
Click underneath that text and type the following formula, exactly:
area + = + b + * + h and then hit OK to create text that is linked
to the variables area, b and h.
26)
Create a Check box (ninth icon) and in the Caption box type in
Area. For Select object, you can either use the drop down menu to
select Text text2, or click on the text itself.
27)
Finally, in Move mode, double-click the Check box. Click the
Advanced tab, and type t = 1. This will make it so that the Check box
will only appear when the student has moved the slider all the way over.

Thats it! At this point, you can play around with your construction to make
it look the way you want it to. Suggestions include hiding all the points except A,
B and C, or creating segments named l and w that correspond to the sides of the
rectangle. After youve got this one down, its not hard to create more dynamic
visual proofs of other geometric formulas and theorems. Have fun!

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