Question

The square pyramid shown below has a base with sides of 10 units. The slant height of the pyramid is 8 units. What is the vertical height, h?

Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

Answer 1

h = 6.2 units

Explanation:

Given triangle ABC is a right triangle with the measures of the two sides,

BC =
`(10)/(2)` = 5 units

AC = 8 units

By applying Pythagoras theorem in the given triangle,

AC² = AB² + BC²

8² = AB² + 5²

AB² = 64 - 25

AB = √39

AB = 6.24 units

AB ≈ 6.2 units