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MATH 109 – SOLID MENSURATION

Pyramid
A pyramid is a polyhedron which has one face in the form of a polygon of any number of sides
while the other faces are all triangles meeting at a common vertex called the apex of the pyramid.
A pyramid is named according
to its base. If the base is square, it is
called a square pyramid, and if the
base is pentagon, it is called a
pentagonal pyramid. Triangular
pyramid is also called tetrahedron.
A regular pyramid is a pyramid whose base is a regular polygon and whose altitude passes
through the center of the base.

Properties of a Regular Pyramid

 The edges of a regular pyramid are equal; it is denoted by e .
 The lateral faces of a regular pyramid are congruent isosceles triangles (see figure).
 The altitudes of the lateral faces of a regular
pyramid are equal. It is the slant height of the
regular pyramid and is denoted by L .
 The altitude of the regular pyramid is
perpendicular to the base. It is equal to the
length of the axis and is denoted by h .
 The vertex of a regular pyramid is directly above
the center of its base when the pyramid is
oriented as shown in the figure.
 If a cutting plane is passed parallel to the base of regular polygon, the pyramid cut off is a
regular pyramid similar to the original pyramid.

Formulas
The lateral area of a regular pyramid is equal to the perimeter of the base times the slant height
all divided by 2.
perimeter of the base  slant height
Lateral Area =
2
1
LA  PL
2
where LA is the lateral area, P is the perimeter of the base, and L is the slant height.
The volume of a regular pyramid is equal to the area of the base multiplied by its height all
divided by 3.
area of the base  height of the pyramid
Volume =
3

1
V  BH
3
Acorda, G., et al., (2005). Solid Mensuration (Workbook). Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City: Feliber Publishing House
nd
Bland, J. R., & Kern W. F. (1938). Solid Mensuration. 2 Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solid Mensuration, http://www.math-principles.com
http://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/solid-mensuration-solid-geometry/regular-pyramid
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Problem 1. A regular pyramid has a square base with sides 6 m. long. The lateral faces are bounded by
isosceles triangles, the lateral edges of which are 5 m. long. Find the lateral area and volume of the
pyramid.

Problem 2. The altitude of a pyramid with a square base is 9 cm. The volume is 324 cu. cm. Find the
side of the base.

Problem 3. Find the volume and lateral surface area of a regular hexagonal pyramid, if its altitude is 15
cm. and each of the sides of the base is 3.4 cm. long.

Acorda, G., et al., (2005). Solid Mensuration (Workbook). Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City: Feliber Publishing House
nd
Bland, J. R., & Kern W. F. (1938). Solid Mensuration. 2 Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solid Mensuration, http://www.math-principles.com
http://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/solid-mensuration-solid-geometry/regular-pyramid
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Problem 4. The Great Pyramid of Egypt has a square base each side being 764 ft. long. The altitude is
480 ft. What is its lateral area? It is said to have a cost of Php 620 a square yard of lateral surface.
What was its cost?

Problem 5. Find the volume of a regular tetrahedron of edge 12 cm.

Acorda, G., et al., (2005). Solid Mensuration (Workbook). Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City: Feliber Publishing House
nd
Bland, J. R., & Kern W. F. (1938). Solid Mensuration. 2 Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solid Mensuration, http://www.math-principles.com
http://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/solid-mensuration-solid-geometry/regular-pyramid
 4

Problem 6. The monument of Cestius in Rome is a square pyramid 121 ½ ft. high with a base edge
measuring 98.4 ft. Find the number of square feet in the lateral surface of the monument. What is its
volume?

Problem 7. Find the volume and lateral surface area of a regular octagonal pyramid whose base edge
is 20 cm. and the altitude of which is 40 cm.

Acorda, G., et al., (2005). Solid Mensuration (Workbook). Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City: Feliber Publishing House
nd
Bland, J. R., & Kern W. F. (1938). Solid Mensuration. 2 Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solid Mensuration, http://www.math-principles.com
http://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/solid-mensuration-solid-geometry/regular-pyramid
 5

Problem 8. A pyramidal roof top is composed of 6 equal isosceles triangles whose vertices meet in the
center of the roof. If the height of the roof is 2 meters and the inclined edges are 4 meters, how many
square meters of canvas is necessary to cover the roof?

Problem 9. The pyramidal tank has a square base 3 ½ m. on a side and an altitude of 4 ½ m. How
many cubic meters of water are in it when the depth of the water is 1 ¾ m?

Acorda, G., et al., (2005). Solid Mensuration (Workbook). Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City: Feliber Publishing House
nd
Bland, J. R., & Kern W. F. (1938). Solid Mensuration. 2 Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solid Mensuration, http://www.math-principles.com
http://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/solid-mensuration-solid-geometry/regular-pyramid
 6

Problem 10. A manufacturer receives an order for 2,000 souvenirs which are to be miniature models of
the Washington Monument. Each must be exactly similar to the original monument and must be 4 in.
high. If the models are solid, find the amount of material necessary to fill the order. (take 1,038,800 cu.
ft. as volume of Washington Monument, 555 as height)

Acorda, G., et al., (2005). Solid Mensuration (Workbook). Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City: Feliber Publishing House
nd
Bland, J. R., & Kern W. F. (1938). Solid Mensuration. 2 Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solid Mensuration, http://www.math-principles.com
http://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/solid-mensuration-solid-geometry/regular-pyramid