As part of my secondary geometry class I like to hook students by presenting real-world examples (usually images I find online or have taken myself) of different geometric shapes from real life. For instance, a lesson on the area of a circle might start out with a picture of a pizza pie or a lesson on the midsegments of triangles might start out with a picture of the Triforce. However, there are some geometric figures that I have had a hard time finding interesting, real-world examples of. Those figures (and I know I am forgetting a bunch..) are:
- Segment of a circle
- Secant line
- Trapezoid (Isosceles or not)
- Inscribed angle
- Parallel lines cut by a transversal
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for these geometric figures of interesting, real world examples? Also, I think it would be great that if people are aware of really cool real world examples for the more "standard" geometric figures to post those as answers as well. For instance, the Dockland Building at the Port of Hamburg is an astoundingly perfect parallelogram :)
Having a collection would be very helpful for teachers because I have not found a better way to get my students right into the groove by starting class off with a brief discussion about an interesting picture!