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Close to Triangular
Stage: 4
Challenge Level:
Here are the coordinates of nine points. It is possible to draw a triangle so that the shortest distance from each point to the triangle is at most one unit.
$(0, 0)$
$(8, 2)$
$(7, 8)$
$(170, 180)$
$(340, 360)$
$(2001, 1000)$
$(1500, 750)$
$(3000, 2000)$
$(4002, 2000)$
Can you find a suitable triangle? Is there more than one possibility?
Given three points, it is
always
possible to draw different triangles with edges passing through those three points - here are some examples of triangles going through the same three points:
Can you convince yourself that there are always
infinitely many
such triangles?
Here are some examples of different triangles going through the same set of four points:
Is it always possible to draw triangles through a set of four points, whatever their position?
Investigate some examples and explain your findings.
What happens when we try to draw triangles through five points?
Interactivities
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Generalising
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Group worthy
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Mathematical reasoning & proof
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Cartesian equations of lines
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Mathematical induction
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Making and proving conjectures
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Fibonacci sequence
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Straight edge & compass constructions
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Summation of series
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