Pythagorean Concepts and Problem Solving

Mr. McDonald reads a story about Pythagoras, who observes a construction problem at a temple. He travels to Egypt, learns about right triangles, and discovers the Pythagorean theorem. Pythagoras applies this knowledge to solve practical problems, and the story concludes with a historical note on his contributions.

What does Mr. McDonald plan to do during the story?

• Draw pictures

• Dance around the room

• Sing a song

• Move his face onto the character's face

What problem do the workmen face while building the temple?

• The roof is too high

• The ladder is too short

• The columns are too wide

• The walls are too thin

Why does Pythagoras' father avoid sailing directly to Crete?

• It's too boring

• It's too dangerous

• It's too far

• It's too expensive

What does Neff use to ensure straight construction?

• A special hammer

• A knotted rope

• A measuring tape

• A compass

What does Pythagoras discover about the triangle he creates?

• It is an isosceles triangle

• It is a scalene triangle

• It has equal sides

• It forms a right angle

How does Pythagoras solve the ladder problem at the temple?

• By moving the ladder closer to the wall

• By making the ladder longer

• By using a right triangle calculation

• By asking the workmen to rebuild the wall

What mathematical concept does Pythagoras use to calculate the distance to Crete?

• The Pythagorean theorem

• The law of sines

• The law of cosines

• The quadratic formula

What does Pythagoras' father realize about his son's abilities?

• He should be a sailor

• He should be a builder

• He should be a farmer

• He has a clear mind for problem-solving

What is Pythagoras most remembered for?

• His music

• His philosophy

• His travels

• The Pythagorean theorem