few_shots: 
Example 1:
Problem/activity:
Find the general solution for:
$${\mathrm{cos}\left({\pi\over2}+x\right)=\mathrm{tan}{\pi\over4}}$$


Concept/skill: 
Understand that by similarity, side ratios in right triangles are properties of the angles in the triangle, leading to definitions of trigonometric ratios for acute angles.

Answer: 
No. This problem does not directly teach how side ratios in right triangles lead to definitions of trigonometric ratios. Instead, it involves solving a trigonometric function.

Example 2:
Problem/activity:
Task
Solve the quadratic equation
$$ x^2 = (2x - 9)^2 $$
using as many different methods as possible.


Concept/skill: 
Solve quadratic equations in one variable.

Answer: 
Yes. This task shows one quadratic equation with one variable, x.

Example 3:
Problem/activity:
Task
Suppose $A$ is an angle with vertex $P$, as pictured below:
[IMG]
Draw a circle with center $P$ and with  radius $r \gt 0$.  Explain why the circle
meets each ray of angle $A$ in a single point.  Label these points $Q$ and $R$ respectively.
Draw circles with centers $Q$ and $R$ respectively and radius $r$.  These circles meet at $P$ and a second point to be labelled $B$.
Show that ray $\overrightarrow{PB}$  bisects angle $P$.


Concept/skill: 
Make formal geometric constructions with a variety of tools and methods (compass and straightedge, string, reflective devices, paper folding, dynamic geometric software, etc.). Copying a segment; copying an angle; bisecting a segment; bisecting an angle; constructing perpendicular lines, including the perpendicular bisector of a line segment; and constructing a line parallel to a given line through a point not on the line.

Answer: 
Yes. This task asks students to draw a ray that bisects an angle. The act of drawing circles and rays may involve compass and straightedge or dynamic geometric software.

Now, does the problem or activity shown below enable students to learn the full intent of the following concept or skill?

shot_info: fl_problem_001894_neg_0

HS_0

im_task_000870_pos_0

HS_1

im_task_001160_pos_0

HS_2
standard_description: Derive the formula for the sum of a finite geometric series (when the common ratio is not 1), and use the formula to solve problems. For example, calculate mortgage payments.
problem_activity: Warm-up
This warm-up picks up where the previous lesson ended asking students to calculate the sum of the first 50 terms of two different sequences, but with less scaffolded support. The goal of this activity is to build student flexibility in using the formula for the sum and thinking about the terms in a sequence by comparing two related sequences, specifically, two sequences where one has values double that of the first.
Monitor for students who identify the sum of the second sequence in different ways, such as by
thinking of it as a sequence with the same
\(r\)
and
\(n\)
values as the first but a different
\(a\)
value.
noticing it must be twice the sum of the first.
seeing it as 1 plus the sum of the first sequence, only where the first sequence has
\(n=49\)
instead of
\(n=50\)
.
Student Facing
Recall that for any geometric sequence starting at
\(a\)
with a common ratio
\(r\)
, the sum
\(s\)
of the first
\(n\)
terms is given by
\(s=a\frac{1-r^{n}}{1-r}\)
. Find the approximate sum of the first 50 terms of each sequence:
\(\frac12\)
,
\(\frac14\)
,
\(\frac18\)
,
\(\frac{1}{16}\)
, . . .
1,
\(\frac12\)
,
\(\frac14\)
,
\(\frac18\)
,
\(\frac{1}{16}\)
, . . .
Student Response
Teachers with a valid work email address can
click here to register or sign in
for free access to Student Response.
Activity Synthesis
Once students are agreed on the
\(a\)
,
\(r\)
, and
\(n\)
values for the first sequence, invite previously selected students to share their work for the second sequence. While students describe their thinking, record any expressions used for all to see. If not brought up by a student for the second strategy, display the relationship
\(1 \frac{1-\left(\frac12\right)^{n}}{1-\frac12} = 2 \boldcdot \frac12 \frac{1-\left(\frac12\right)^{n}}{1-\frac12}\)
as one way to understand why the second sequence has a sum twice as large.


aligns: yes