Education Standards
Wheel of Theodorus Calculation Chart Video (Part 2)
Wheel of Theodorus Calcualtion Chart Worksheet
Wheel of Theodorus Art Project Grading Rubric
Wheel of Theodorus Calculation Chart
Wheel of Theodorus Art Project
Overview
This is a cross curricular art project for 8th grade math students. Students are first introduced to what the Wheel of Theodorus is, ponder where they see it in the world around them and then instructed on how to create their own. When they have finished constructing their Wheel of Theodorus they are asked to creatively and colorfully turn it "into" something. Examples are given.
After they Wheel of Theodorus is complete, students are then asked to measure all the sides lengths of the triangles in the wheel. They should quickly see that they can use the Pythagorean Theorem to do this and that it follows a predictable pattern. No ruler will be required for this part of the project!
Wheel of Theodorus Art Project Introduction
This is a cross curricular art project for 8th grade math students. In this part of the lesson, students watch a video and are introduced to what the Wheel of Theodorus is, ponder where they see it in the world around them and then instructed on how to create their own. When they have finished constructing their Wheel of Theodorus they are asked to creatively and colorfully turn it "into" something. Examples are given of completed "wheels" and a grading rubric is also shown.
Theodorus of Cyrene was a Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived during approximately 500 BC. Little is known about his life, but he is well known for his mathematical theorem known as the Spiral or Wheel of Theodorus. This theorem first appeared in Plato's dialogue, "Theaetetus".
This theorem revolves around a diagram of spiraling right triangles that Theodorus constructed. Coincidentally, or not, this spiralling diagram of triangles occurs in nature quite frequently!
Watch this video introduction on the Wheel of Theodorus and learn how to create your own.
Task 2: Wheel of Theodorus Art Project Calculation Chart
In this step students will be led to discover Theodorus' mathematical credit with the spiral of right triangles that they constructed in step 1. Students will make a copy of a Google Doc worksheet and fill in the calculation chart. The calculation chart guides students through using the Pythagorean Theorem to find the measures of all the side lengths of the 17 right triangles in the spiral. No ruler should be necessary on this step! The last question on the worksheet asks students to identify the pattern that occurs in their calculation chart.
You should have constructed your own Wheel of Theodorus with 17 right triangles, at this point.
Why is Theodorus credited with a "math" discovery for what seems to be just some cool art? Watch this video to discover Theodorus' mathematical findings when he calcualated the lengths of the sides of all 17 right triangles.
You will be instructed on how to fill out the worksheet attached below.