Radians: Just Another Way

Learning Resource Type

Lesson Plan

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

Students will be guided through a review of the special angles on the unit circle in degree measures.  They will use a circle/paper plate and paper strips to measure and mark these special angles.  Students will be introduced to the definition of a radian and will discover the number of radians in a circle as well as the measures of the special angles in radian measure.  The students will find the formulas for converting degrees to radians and radians to degrees.  They will then use these formulas to convert angles from degrees to radians and from radians to degrees.  

This lesson results from the ALEX Resource Gap Project.

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 09-12 - Algebra II with Statistics

MA19.A2.34

Define the radian measure of an angle as the constant of proportionality of the length of an arc it intercepts to the radius of the circle; in particular, it is the length of the arc intercepted on the unit circle.

UP:MA19.A2.34

Vocabulary

  • Radian measure
  • Constant of proportionality
  • Unit circle
  • Intercepted arc

Knowledge

Students know:

  • The circumference of any circle is 2πr and therefore, the circumference of a unit circle is 2π.

Skills

Students are able to:

  • Translate between arc length and central angle measures in circles.

Understanding

Students understand that:

  • Radians measure angles as a ratio of the arc length to the radius.
  • The unit circle has a circumference of 2π which aids in sense making for angle measure as revolutions (one whole revolution measures 2π radians) regardless of radius.
  • Use of the unit circle gives a one-to-one ratio between arc length and the measure of the central angle, putting the angle in direct proportion to the arc length, and that the circle can then be divided up to find the radian measure of other angles.

Body

  1. Define the radian measure of an angle as the constant of proportionality of the length of an arc it intercepts to the radius of the circle; in particular, it is the length of the arc intercepted on the unit circle.

Primary Learning Objectives

Students will find the radian measure of the special angles on the unit circle.  They will use this knowledge, as well as their knowledge of the degree measures of these special angles, to find a method for converting angles between the two units. 

Procedures/Activities

Before: 

Review the degree measures of the special angles on the Unit circle.

Students should be paired and each student will be given a circle/paper plate (Note: If using basic paper plates the ridges should be flattened out as much as possible. This can be done by running the plate across the edge of their desk or table.) Students should fold the paper plate or circle in half and then fold the half in half creating 4 equal sections. Use a pen or marker to draw over the fold lines to create the x- and y-axis. Students should label 0°. Have students tell you the number of degrees in a circle (360°). Have them label 360°. Now have them wrap the strip of paper around the outside edge of the paper plate (example). Have one student hold the paper in place while the other student wraps the strip. Cut the strip of paper so that it is exactly the distance from 0° to 360° or the exact circumference. Since this strip represents one full rotation around the circle we are going to define this length as 360°. (As a time saver have the students cut the second strip of paper into the same length but lay it aside for later.) Now we will label the special angles on the circle in degree measures by dividing the strip into equal sections. First, fold the strip of paper in half. Ask students to determine the length of the folded strip (360/2 = 180). Place the strip at 0 and measure around the outside of the circle. The end of the strip should be halfway around the circle at 180°. Now fold the strip in half again. Ask students to determine the length of this strip (180/2 = 90). When you unfold the strip, you should have 4 equal sections each measuring 90°. Place the strip at 0 and wrap it around the plate marking 90°, 180° and 270°.  Finally, refold the strip into the 90° lengths and fold it in half one more time. Ask students to determine the length of the folded strip (90/2 = 45°). Again unfold and observe 8 equal sections (360/8 = 45°). Wrap the strip starting at 0 and label 45°, 135°, 225°, and 315°. Now lay this strip aside and pick up the second strip. Ask the students to identify the length of this strip. (360° if they cut it the same length of the first strip.) Students will be asked to fold the strip into 3 equal sections (example). Ask students to determine the length of the folded strip (360/3 = 120°). Now have them fold the strip in half and identify the length of the strip (120/2 = 60°). Ask them to fold the strip in half one more time. Unfold the strip and note the 12 equal sections (360/12 = 30°) Finally have the students start at 0° and wrap the strip (counterclockwise) labeling the angles 30°, 60°, 120°, 150°, 210°, 240°, 300°, 330°.   Students should now have a unit circle with degree measures labeled.  

During:

Next, tell students that we will be finding a different angle measurement for these special angles. Share the definition of a radian with students. Have the students add the definition to the Radian Notes Page. Show students the radian demonstration. Set the radius to 3 and either set the length to 3 or move the slider so that the length is 3. Explain to students that the length represents the arc length. Next, move the slider to unwrap the arc length and check the box beside "show radius scale." The students should be able to see that the arc length is the same as the radius. Finally, check the box beside "show angle measure" so students see the measure is equal to one radian. Stress to students that a radian is an arc length that is equal to the radius of the circle. Have students draw a picture to illustrate the definition on their notes page. Use the short strip of paper to measure the radius of the circle and have students determine how many radians are in the circumference (they should find there is just a little more than 6 approximately 6.28 or 2π). Add this result to their Radian Notes Page. You could return to the radian demonstration and drag the slider for length to the end (complete rotation around the circle). When you unwrap this the students will be able to see that it is more than 6 radians. To confirm this, ask students to find the circumference of the circle using the formula for circumference (C=2πr, r=1 so C=2π). Label 0 radians and 2π radians on the circle/paper plate. Pick up the strip of paper that was folded into 8 equal sections. Ask the students to find the measures of the angles associated with these folds using radians (2π/8 = π/4). Add to notes page. Label these on their circle/paper plate. (Be sure that students reduce fractions π/4, 2π/4=π/2, 3π/4, 4π/4=π, 5π/4, 6π/4=3π/2, 7π/4.) Next, pick up the other long strip folded into 12 equal sections. Ask students to find the radian measures of the angles associated with each fold (2π/12=π/6). Add notes to notes page. Label these on their circle/paper plate. (Be sure that students reduce fractions π/6, 2π/6=π/3, 4π/6=2π/3, 5π/6, 7π/6,8π/6=4π/3, 10π/6=5π/3, 11π/6.) Students should now have a complete unit circle with both degree and radian measures. Have students work together to complete the section of the Radian Notes Page to develop conversion rules. They should find that each radian has 180/π degrees and each degree has π/180 radians. Once each pair has found the conversion rules demonstrate to students how to convert a degree to a radian measure and how to convert a radian measure to a degree measure.  

Assign the Practice Problems Worksheet.  Allow students to work in pairs to complete these.

After:

Have students complete a fist list. Trace their hand and for each finger on their hand, they must list one fact about radians. Some possible answers include:  There are 2π radians in a circle, to convert from degrees to radians multiply by π /180, to convert from radians to degrees multiply by 180/π, a radian is an arc length that is equal to the radius of the circle, radians are units of angle measurement, and 180°=π  radians.  In the palm of the hand have them convert 5π/8 radians to degrees. This fist list is their ticket out the door.

Assessment Strategies

Formative: Teachers can check answers to questions on the Radian Notes Page.  The teacher will use this page throughout the lesson as an informal assessment. 

Summative: The Practice Problem Worksheet will be used to assess student understanding.  The fist list will also be used as a check of student understanding.

Acceleration

Accelerated students can be encouraged to explore the applications of radian measurements found here.  Have them review the formulas and then attempt to work the example problems.  There are self-check answers provided.  These students can then be used as peer teachers when these applications are presented to the entire class.

Intervention

Students needing extra assistance can be assigned practice problems.   These problems have a tutorial and provide self-check answers.

Total Duration

61 to 90 Minutes

Background/Preparation

Students should be familiar with the following:

Each circle has 360°

The Unit Circle has a radius of 1 unit.

The formula for the Circumference of a circle C=2πr.

Teachers:

Prepare circles for students 1 per student- Basic paper plates work well. The circles should be about 9" in diameter if you cut them yourself

Radian Measure Notes Page - copy 1 per student

Practice Problems Worksheet - copy 1 per student

Cut 2 strips of paper that will wrap around the circle for demonstration.

Be familiar with exploration for Accelerated Students and Extra Practice for Struggling Students.

They should also be familiar with the Radian Demonstration and be prepared to explain the definition of a radian while using the demonstration.

Teachers will also want to be familiar with applications of radian measurements. Accelerated students will be directed here.

Materials and Resources

Students:

Paper Plates or circles cut from thick cardstock or poster board.

Two strips of paper - rolls of cash register tape work well but you can cut strips of paper and tape together. The strip must wrap completely around the plate or circle. (Example)

One short strip of paper that is the length of the radius of the paper plate.

Radian Measure Notes Page

Practice Problems Worksheet

Computers connected to the internet for Accelerated Students and Extra Practice for Struggling Students

Blank paper

Pencil

 

Technology Resources Needed

Computer with Internet access

Projector

Radian Demonstration - Teachers will use this to show students the definition of a radian.

Accelerated Students exploration of applications of radian measurements

Struggling Students tutorial and extra practice.

Approved Date

2017-01-08

Owner (Author)

mrswhite
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