3D Trigonometry

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 Starter
Can you find the value of x in this diagram to 2dp? Be
careful with rounding answers!
1) Start by finding the opposite 3) Then you can find the angle x by
side in the left triangle using the opposite and hypotenuse in
NOT TO SCALE the upper triangle
Hyp 𝑂𝑝𝑝=𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝜃× 𝐴𝑑𝑗
13cm
𝑂𝑝𝑝
𝑂𝑝𝑝=𝑇𝑎𝑛 42× 8 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝜃=
𝐴𝑑𝑗
x
49.82° 𝑂𝑝𝑝=7.20(2 𝑑𝑝) 9.93
Opp 5.93 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝜃=
13
2) Then subtract this from the
4cm hypotenuse of the lower triangle
𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝜃=0.764 …
42° 𝐴𝑑𝑗
5.93
𝐻𝑦𝑝= 𝜃=49.82 °
𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝜃
8cm 12
7.20 Hyp
Adj 𝐻𝑦𝑝=
Opp 𝐶𝑜𝑠 24
24°
12cm 𝐻𝑦𝑝=13.14 (2 𝑑𝑝)
Adj
𝑆𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒=13.14−7.20=5.93
 3D Trigonometry
• We have looked at using trigonometry in lots of
situations

• Today we will be focusing on using it in 3D problems

• The key to answering questions in 3D is thinking

about separate parts of them in 2D

• You will find that making quick sketches as you

work will help you visualise what to do!
 3D Trigonometry
ABCDEFGH is a cuboid, as shown.
a) Calculate the length of BD 8.06cm (√65)
b) Calculate the angle between BH and the base of the cuboid
 You can find the length of BD by just using the base

H G
4cm

E F 7cm
D C
6cm 𝑎 2+ 𝑏2=𝑐2
Sub in values
4cm
72 + 42 =𝑐 2
Add up
A B
7cm 6 5=𝑐 2
Square root
8 .06=𝑐
(Remember that as an exact value, c = √65!)
 3D Trigonometry
ABCDEFGH is a cuboid, as shown.
a) Calculate the length of BD 8.06cm (√65)
b) Calculate the angle between BH and the base of the cuboid
 To find the angle between BH and the base, draw on BH,
and look to make a right angled triangle (inside the shape)
H G
Opp
6
E F
θ
D C
6cm √65
Adj
θ 4cm 𝑂𝑝𝑝
√65 𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝜃=
𝐴𝑑𝑗
6 Sub in values
A B
7cm 𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝜃=
√ 65 Calculate
𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝜃=0.744…
Use inverse Tan
𝜃=36.7 °
 Plenary
The great pyramid of Giza is a square based pyramid of side length 230m,
and is 139m high. If you were to stand in one corner and walk up the
pyramid to the top, what angle would you be walking up at and how far
would you have to walk?
 We need the length of the diagonal first

𝑎 2+ 𝑏2=𝑐2
Sub in values
230m 2302 +230 2=𝑐 2
Add up
1 05800=𝑐 2
Square root
230m
325.27=𝑐
230m
325.27m

230m
 Plenary
The great pyramid of Giza is a square based pyramid of side length 230m,
and is 139m high. If you were to stand in one corner and walk up the
pyramid to the top, what angle would you be walking up at and how far
would you have to walk?
 Now we can draw the height on, and halve the length
we just found…

139m
𝑂𝑝𝑝
𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝜃=
Opp
𝐴𝑑𝑗
139 Sub in values
𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝜃=
139m 162.63
Calculate
𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝜃=0.854…
40.5°
θ Use inverse Tan
230m 𝜃=40.5 °
325.27m 162.63m
162.63m
Adj
230m So you would be walking
up at an angle of 40.5°
 Plenary
The great pyramid of Giza is a square based pyramid of side length 230m,
and is 139m high. If you were to stand in one corner and walk up the
pyramid to the top, what angle would you be walking up at and how far
would you have to walk?
 Now we can draw the height on, and halve the length
we just found…

139m So you would be walking up at an

angle of 40.5°

139m 𝑎 2+ 𝑏2=𝑐2
Sub in values
162.632 +1392=𝑐 2
40.5° Add up
230m
162.63m
4 5771=𝑐 2
162.63m Square root

230m 213.9=𝑐
So you would have to walk a distance
of 213.9m to the top!
 Summary
• We have looked at using Trigonometry
in 3D shapes

• We have seen how to model this using

2D diagrams

• We have seen that diagrams help a lot!!

 Starter (printout)
Can you find the value of x in this diagram to 2dp? Be
careful with rounding answers!

NOT TO SCALE

13cm
x

4cm
42°

8cm

24°
12cm
O/ N2010 P-22
M/J 2017 p-4
 Plenary (printout)
The great pyramid of Giza is a square based pyramid of side length 230m,
and is 139m high. If you were to stand in one corner and walk up the
pyramid to the top, what angle would you be walking up at and how far
would you have to walk?