General Mathematics Unit 2
Sample context for assessment – triangle test
Introduction
The task involves the use of geometry and trigonometry to answer several questions involving
length, angle, perimeter and area associated with several triangles.
Part 1
An equilateral triangle with side length 10 cm has its base on a line as shown below. The length of
the line segment between A and B is 20 cm.
A
20 cm
10 cm


B
a. State the perimeter of the triangle
b. Find the size of the angle  in degrees
c. Find the area of the triangle
d. Find the size of the angle  in degrees
Part 2
Let 6, 10 and c be the lengths of the three sides of a triangle.
a. State the range of possible values of c.
b.
Find the values of c for which the triangle formed is a right angle. In each case find the size of
the other angles, and the perimeter and area of the triangle.
© VCAA
Sample context for assessment – triangle test
Part 3
Human perception of distance is related to the angle at which our eyes turn in from straight ahead
to focus on an object. Assume an object being looked at lies on the perpendicular bisector of the
line segment between a person’s eyes.
a. Calculate how far away the object is if the distance between the person’s eyes is 8 cm and the
angle of turn in is 10
b. Plot a graph of distance in terms of the angle of turn in.
Part 4
A triangle has side lengths of 1.8 and 2.3 metres with an included angle of 27. Find the other
length and angles.
Areas of study
The following content from the areas of study is addressed through this learning activity.
Area of study
Topic(s)
Content dot point
Geometry,
measurement and
trigonometry
Shape and measurement
Applications of trigonometry
1, 2, 3
1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Outcomes
The following outcomes, key knowledge and key skills are addressed through this task.
Outcome
Key knowledge dot point
Key skill dot point
1
Shape and measurement
1, 2, 3
Applications of trigonometry
1, 3, 4
Shape and measurement
1, 2
Applications of trigonometry
1, 3, 4, 5
2
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3, 4
3
1, 2, 3
2, 4, 5, 9, 10
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