For Parent
### What Is Triangle Medians and Altitudes?
Triangle medians and altitudes are two important ideas when discussing the properties of a triangle. A triangle is a three-sided shape with three angles and three sides. A median of a triangle is a line segment that connects vertices of a triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side. An altitude is a line segment that intersects a vertex of the triangle and is perpendicular to the opposite side.
### How to Help a 14 Year Old With Dyslexia Understand Triangle Medians and Altitudes
Dyslexia can make it difficult for a student to understand the relationship between triangle medians and altitudes. As a parent, it is important to provide extra support and instruction to help your 14 year old understand this concept. Here are five examples of common issues that students with dyslexia may run into when trying to understand this concept and ways to help them overcome it.
#### Visual Processing
One issue a student with dyslexia may run into is difficulty processing visual information. To help, you can create visuals to reinforce understanding. For example, drawing diagrams of triangles and using colorful markers to draw in the medians and altitudes can help your child better comprehend the concept.
#### Explaining Formulas
Another issue your child may run into is understanding the math equation associated with triangle medians and altitudes. To help, break the equation down into smaller parts and provide extra explanation of each component to make sure they understand. Provide practice equations and have them work through them step-by-step to reinforce understanding.
#### Verbally Describing the Concept
It can be difficult for a student with dyslexia to process written information. To account for this, you can verbally explain the concept to your child to help them understand. For example, you can explain that a median of a triangle is a line segment that connects the vertices of a triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side and that an altitude is a line segment perpendicular to the side of the triangle that intersects one of the vertices.
#### Reinforcing with Exercises
Your child may have difficulty connecting the theory of triangle medians and altitudes to mastering questions and problems. To help, provide exercises for your child to practice which relate to the theory. This can help reinforce understanding and help them master the concept.
#### Verbal Review
It can be difficult for students with dyslexia to remember what they have learned. To help with this, frequently go over the concept orally. This can help your child remember what they are learning and serve as a reference when working through exercises.
## Best Practices to Help a 14 Year Old With Dyslexia Understand Triangle Medians and Altitudes
1. **Create Visuals:** Creating visuals such as diagrams and drawings can help a student with dyslexia better understand triangle medians and altitudes.
2. **Explain Formulas:** Breaking down the formula associated with triangle medians and altitudes into its component parts can help a student with dyslexia better understand the concept.
3. **Verbally Describe:** Verbally explaining the concept can help a student with dyslexia better understand triangle medians and altitudes.
4. **Reinforce With Exercises:** have your student practice related exercises to reinforce comprehension.
5. **Verbal Review:** Frequently going over the concept orally can help a student with dyslexia remember triangle medians and altitudes.
### Equation
The equation for an altitude of a triangle is: A = √[a2– (b2 + c2– 2bccosA)/2]
Triangle medians and altitudes are two important concepts when discussing the properties of a triangle. A median of a triangle is a line segment that connects the vertices of a triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side and an altitude is a line segment perpendicular to the side of the triangle that intersects one of the vertices. As a parent, providing extra support and instruction to a 14 year old with dyslexia can help them understand these concepts. Creating visuals and breaking down equations, verbally describing, providing practice exercises, and frequent verbal reviews are all best practices to employ in helping them understand.
For Youth
Hey 14 year old!
When we talk about triangle medians and altitudes, we’re talking about the inside of triangles – the lengths of sides, angles and the relationships between them. Let’s start by talking about medians. Medians of a triangle are lines that go from one corner of the triangle (called a vertex) to the middle of the side opposite the vertex. To help you remember, think of the word ‘median’ – it’s like the middle lane in a highway. Each triangle has three medians and each median will split the triangle in half!
Now let’s talk about altitudes. An altitude of a triangle is a line that goes from one vertex of the triangle to the opposite side – this line will be perpendicular to that side. The two sides that meet at the vertex form an angle called the vertex angle, and the altitude will be across from it. Altitudes also let us find the area of the triangle if we know two of the sides and the angle formed at the middle of them. Just remember this equation: area = 1/2 Base * Height.
Dyslexia can make it hard to understand and learn stuff like this – but don’t worry! There are lots of strategies you can use to help. One good idea is to draw the triangles – try looking up pictures or diagrams that show the different medians and altitudes. That way, you can see what they look like and how they relate to each other. You could also make up fun stories or silly rhymes to help you remember the important parts. And if you’re really having trouble understanding, don’t be afraid to ask a teacher or parent for extra help or to clarify something!
