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Discovering Pi
Objectives:
Students should be able to see the ratio used for Pi
Students should be able to see the relationship between circumference and diameter in a circle
Materials:
10 Tape Measures
10 Calculators
10 Circular Objects
Discovering Pi Worksheets
Activities:
Teacher derives formula for the circumference of a circle
C = 2(Pi)r
C = 2r(Pi), d = 2r
C = d(Pi)
Teacher shows that the ratio of the circumference of the circle to its diameter equals Pi
C/d = Pi
Teacher introduces activity
Includes a discussion about measuring the circumference and diameter
Hand out worksheets
Students are put into pairs
Students do planned activity
Students measure each of the 10 objects and find the ratio C/d
Each ratio is carried out to 10 decimal places
Each ratio must also come out to an answer between 3 and 3.3, if not the students must repeat the
measurements
Closing
Students share their results and discuss the ratio
Assign homework using the circumference of a circle
Assessment:
Informal
During the activity, the teacher discusses the ratio with the pairs
During the post-activity discussion, the teacher can observe comments made about the ratio and Pi
Formal
Teacher evaluates students' understanding of circumference and Pi by checking the homework
Teacher evaluates students using a test or quiz in the near future