This lab has students apply their knowledge of the Triangle Angle Sum Theorem to derive the sum of the measures of the interior angles of a polygon (the Polygon Angle Sum Theorem). As opposed to having students memorize a formula, the lab approach requires students to be creative and synthesize multiple mathematical ideas from geometry and algebra.

Pre-planning:

30-60 minutes

decide how students will get into pairs

Prerequisite Knowledge:

the triangle angle sum theorem

arithmetic sequences

modelling using linear functions

Learning Objectives:

interpret parts of a function in the context of a word problem

derive the polygon angle sum theorem and represent it with a formula

practice the scientic method