Pythagorean Theorem to Find Distance - Grades 6-8

Goals and Standards

Colorado Academic Standards:

• 8.G.B.8 Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance between two points in a coordinate system.

Mathematical Practice Standards:

• MP 4 Model with mathematics 
• MP 5 Use appropriate tools strategically (coordinate plane)
• MP 7 Look for and make use of structure 

Learning Goal:

• Construct right triangles, rectangles and squares on the coordinate plane 
• Find the distance between two points on the coordinate plane 
• Apply Pythagorean theorem to find missing side lengths of right triangles

Vocabulary

• distance
• hypotenuse
• leg
• Pythagorean theorem
• right triangle
• square root
• squared