# Lesson 14

Working with Pyramids

• Let’s use the pyramid volume formula to solve problems.

### 14.1: Volume Matching

Here is a pyramid.

Which, if either, of these solids has the same volume as the pyramid?

### 14.2: Practice with Pyramids

1. Calculate the volume of each solid. Round your answers to the nearest tenth if necessary.
2. A particular cone has radius $$r$$ and height $$h$$.
1. Write an expression for the volume of this cone in terms of $$r$$ and $$h$$.
2. What is the height of a cone whose volume is $$16\pi$$ cubic units and whose radius is 3 units?
3. What is the radius of a cone whose volume is $$16\pi$$ cubic units and whose height is 3 units?

The Pyramid of Giza is 455 feet tall. The base is square with a 756-foot side length. How many Olympic-size swimming pool volumes of water can fit inside the Pyramid of Giza? Explain or show your reasoning.

### 14.3: An Icy Pyramid

A caterer is making an ice sculpture in the shape of a pyramid for a party. The caterer wants to use 12 liters of water, which is about 720 cubic inches. The sculpture must be 15 inches tall. The caterer needs to decide how large to make the base, which can be any shape.

1. Draw and label the dimensions of a base that would work.
2. Find a second base that satisfies the baker’s requirements. You may use the applet to help, if you choose.

Directions for using the applet:
• Draw your base on the grid with the Polygon tool.
• Change to the 3D Graphics View by clicking on button.
• Click in the 3D window to switch back to the 3D menu.
• Select the Extrude to Pyramid tool and click on your polygon.
• When the dialog box opens, input the height.
• Use the Volume tool to verify your calculations and your figure.
• Refresh the page and repeat the steps with another base that works.

### Summary

We can work backward from a given volume to find possible dimensions for a cone or pyramid.

Suppose we want to find dimensions for a cone so it has a volume of $$900\pi$$ cubic inches. Start by substituting the volume into the pyramid volume formula to get $$900\pi = \frac13 Bh$$. The base of a cone is a circle, so we can write $$900\pi = \frac13 \pi r^2 h$$. Multiply both sides of the equation by 3 and divide both sides by $$\pi$$ to get $$2,\!700 = r^2 h$$.

Now consider different possible values for $$r$$ and $$h$$. If we can find a perfect square that divides evenly into 2,700, we can set the square root of that number to be the radius. The number 25 is a perfect square and divdes into 2,700, so choose $$r=5$$. Now $$2,\!700 = 25h$$. This tells us that if the pyramid’s radius is 5 inches, its height is 108 inches because $$2,\!700 \div 25 = 108$$.

These aren’t the only possible values. Suppose we set the radius to be 20 inches. Substitute this into the original equation and rearrange to find the value of $$h$$.

$$900\pi = \frac13 \pi (20)^2 h$$

$$900\pi = \frac13 \pi \boldcdot 400 h$$

$$2,\!700 = 400 h$$

$$6.75=h$$

A height of 6.75 inches together with a radius of 20 inches gives the cone a volume of $$900\pi$$ cubic inches.

### Glossary Entries

• apex

The single point on a cone or pyramid that is the furthest from the base. For a pyramid, the apex is where all the triangular faces meet.