To determine the height of a pyramid using trigonometry, you need to measure the base length and an angle, then apply trigonometric ratios.
Start by measuring the length of one side of the pyramid’s base, as well as the angle between the base and the slant height. The slant height is the line that extends from the apex of the pyramid to the midpoint of one side of the base. This angle is commonly referred to as the angle of elevation.
Next, you can utilize the tangent function, which connects the angle of elevation to the opposite side (the height of the pyramid) and the adjacent side (half the length of the base). The relationship is expressed by the formula:
tan(θ)=half the base lengthheightTo find the height, rearrange this formula:
height=tan(θ)×half the base lengthFor instance, if the length of the base of the pyramid is 10 metres and the angle of elevation is 30 degrees, you would first calculate half the base length, which is 5 metres. Then, using the tangent function, you can write:
tan(30∘)=5heightSince tan(30∘)≈0.577, we can substitute this value into the equation:
height=0.577×5≈2.885 metresTherefore, the height of the pyramid is approximately 2.885 metres. This method enables you to calculate the height using fundamental trigonometric principles and straightforward measurements.
![]() 100% | ![]() Global | ![]() 97% | |
---|---|---|---|
Professional Tutors | International Tuition | Independent School Entrance Success | |
All of our elite tutors are full-time professionals, with at least five years of tuition experience and over 5000 accrued teaching hours in their subject. | Based in Cambridge, with operations spanning the globe, we can provide our services to support your family anywhere. | Our families consistently gain offers from at least one of their target schools, including Eton, Harrow, Wellington and Wycombe Abbey. |
![]() 100% |
---|
Professional Tutors |
All of our elite tutors are full-time professionals, with at least five years of tuition experience and over 5000 accrued teaching hours in their subject. |
![]() Global |
International Tuition |
Based in Cambridge, with operations spanning the globe, we can provide our services to support your family anywhere. |
![]() 97% |
Independent School Entrance Success |
Our families consistently gain offers from at least one of their target schools, including Eton, Harrow, Wellington and Wycombe Abbey. |
At the Beyond Tutors we recognise that no two students are the same.
That’s why we’ve transcended the traditional online tutoring model of cookie-cutter solutions to intricate educational problems. Instead, we devise a bespoke tutoring plan for each individual student, to support you on your path to academic success.
To help us understand your unique educational needs, we provide a free 30-minute consultation with one of our founding partners, so we can devise the tutoring plan that’s right for you.
To ensure we can best prepare for this consultation, we ask you to fill out the short form below.