Name: __________________________________________________ Period ____ Date __________________
Lesson 8-1a: Analyzing Shapes in the Coordinate Plane (Topic 11 – Agile Mind)
Review: Length & Area:
Use The Overview to answer the questions below.
From Page 3 of the Overview
1. Write the area and perimeter formulas for each shape.
Rectangle
W
h
L
L
Right Triangle
Square
L
Area = __________________
A = ____________
Perimeter = ___________________
P = ____________
b
A = _______________
2. What does each of the variables in these formulas represent?
W represents the ___________________________________________________________
L represents the ___________________________________________________________
(note: It is more common to use the letter “s” to represent the side length on a square)
b represents the __________________________________________________________
h represents the ___________________________________________________________
3. How is the area of a triangle related to the area of a rectangle?
4. How can you find the perimeter of any shape?
EXPLORE: Analyzing Shapes with Coordinates
Read Pages 1 & 2:
What is a polygon?
What is a vertex?
A vertex is any point where two of the polygon’s sides meet.
Explore Page 3
Here is the polygon representing the base of the packaging.
Write the coordinates of point A as it is shown on the graph.
Click the button to check your work.
A ( _______,______ )
Go to Page 4: Read and Explore the animation on Page 4
Points A and B are on opposite sides of the y-axis. Explore how you can use absolute value to
help you determine the distance between two points that are on opposite sides of an axis.
What are the coordinates of point B ?
(
,
)
How far is point B from the y-axis? ___________ inches
How far is point A from the x-axis? ____________ inches
Write the ordered pairs for points E and F:
E (______, ______)
F (______, ______)
How long is side EF ?
____________ inches
In the coordinate plane:
 The absolute value of a point's x-coordinate tells you the point's horizontal distance from
the y-axis.

The absolute value of the point's y-coordinate gives the point's vertical distance from the
x-axis.
Go on to Page 5:
You found that the length of side AB is 12 inches and the length of side EF is 5 inches.
Use the coordinates in the graph to find the lengths of the polygon's remaining sides.
Length of side CD: _________________________________________________________
Length of side CB: _________________________________________________________
Length of side DE: _________________________________________________________
Length of side FA: _________________________________________________________
Go to Page 6:
The cutting machine uses programmed coordinates to cut out the package shapes. You have
seen that the numerical coordinates can be used to calculate horizontal and vertical lengths.
The cutting machine can also keep track of the total distance it has cut as it outlines the shape.
Find the total distance the machine must cut to create the polygon base. (perimeter)
The perimeter (distance around the shape) = __________________________ inches.
Go to Page 7
Sean also uses the programmed coordinates and lengths to determine how much packaging
material he uses.
Calculate the amount of packaging material in the polygon base of the package.
Find the total area in square inches.
Total Area: ____________________ square inches
Compare your strategy with a partner. Did you use the same strategy?
Check your answer by clicking the check button on page 7 of the Agile Mind lesson.
PRACTICE:
1) Complete the practice questions at the end of the Agile Mind Lesson.
2) Complete the additional practice questions on Worksheet Page 155-156
“Polygons in the Coordinate Plane” (solutions will be posted)