Math Problem Statement

In this square-based pyramid, find the angle between the planes AVB and ABCD.

Solution

To find the angle between the planes AVBAVB and ABCDABCD in this square-based pyramid, we can follow these steps:

  1. Identify Key Components:

    • The square-based pyramid has a square base ABCDABCD and a vertex VV above the center of the base.
    • Plane ABCDABCD is the base plane of the pyramid, and AVBAVB is a triangular plane that includes edge AVAV and point BB.
  2. Define the Angle Between the Planes:

    • The angle between two planes can be found by calculating the angle between their normal vectors.
    • However, in this problem, it is simpler to find the angle between line segment VEVE (the altitude of triangle AVBAVB) and line segment AEAE (the base radius of the square). This angle will be the same as the angle between the planes.
  3. Determine Triangle Measurements:

    • The pyramid has height VEVE from the center EE of the square base to vertex VV.
    • Given the side length AD=10AD = 10 cm, the length from the center EE to any vertex A,B,C,A, B, C, or DD is 102=5\frac{10}{2} = 5 cm (since EE is the center of the square base).
    • VA=11.7VA = 11.7 cm is given.
  4. Calculate VEVE (Altitude of the Pyramid):

    • Using the Pythagorean theorem in right triangle VAEVAE: VE=VA2AE2=11.7252VE = \sqrt{VA^2 - AE^2} = \sqrt{11.7^2 - 5^2} VE=136.8925=111.8910.58 cmVE = \sqrt{136.89 - 25} = \sqrt{111.89} \approx 10.58 \text{ cm}
  5. Find the Angle AVE\angle AVE:

    • Use trigonometry (cosine of angle θ\theta): cos(AVE)=AEVA=511.7\cos(\angle AVE) = \frac{AE}{VA} = \frac{5}{11.7} cos(AVE)0.4274\cos(\angle AVE) \approx 0.4274 AVEcos1(0.4274)64\angle AVE \approx \cos^{-1}(0.4274) \approx 64^\circ

Answer:

The angle between the planes AVBAVB and ABCDABCD is approximately 6464^\circ.


Would you like more details on any step? Here are some related questions for practice:

  1. How would the angle change if VAVA were longer?
  2. What if the base of the pyramid was a different shape, like a pentagon?
  3. Can we find the angle using vector methods for normal vectors?
  4. How does the height of the pyramid impact this angle?
  5. What trigonometric identities help in finding angles in 3D shapes?

Tip: When working with angles in 3D geometry, visualize or draw perpendicular heights from key points to help define right triangles.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
3D Shapes
Angle Between Planes

Formulas

Pythagorean theorem: c^2 = a^2 + b^2
Cosine formula for angle: cos(θ) = adjacent / hypotenuse

Theorems

Pythagorean theorem
Trigonometry

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12