Find the slant height $ s $ of a pyramid if side $a = 16$ and lateral edge $e = 17$.
Answer
$s = 15$
Explanation
To find slant height $ s $ use Pythagorean Theorem:
$$ s^2 + \frac{ a^2 }{ 4 } = e^2 $$After substituting $ a = 16 $ and $ e = 17 $ we have:
$$ s ^ {\,2} + \frac{ 16^2 }{ 4 } = 17^2 $$ $$ s ^ {\,2} + \frac{ 256 }{ 4 } = 17^2 $$ $$ s ^ {\,2} + 64 = 17^2 $$ $$ s ^ {\,2} = 289 - 64 $$ $$ s ^ {\,2} = 225 $$ $$ s = \sqrt{ 225 } $$$$ s = 15 $$This page was created using
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