Trigonometry 3d pyramid question

In summary, the conversation discusses solving for theta using the cosine law and Pythagorean theorem but there seems to be confusion about the given lengths and angles in the diagram. The output of 65 degrees for theta is disputed due to unclear information and the possibility of a mistake in the answer key.
  • #1
needingtoknow
160
0

Homework Statement



http://imgur.com/x8D2wqO

I need to solve for theta and I keep getting the angle 65, using cosine law and pythagorean theorem but the answer key says that the angle is 93. The diagram is not to scale. Is my answer wrong or is the answer key incorrect?
 
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  • #2
It isn't quite clear what length is 15cm. Is it AC or AD? To get 93 degrees, it would probably have to be AC. Either way, there does not seem to be enough information. Please post your working.
 
  • #3
15 cm is AD
 
  • #4
c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2abcosC
c = 23.7471

h^2 = a^2 + b^2
h = 23.4307

h^2 = a^2 + b^2
h = 20.5183

(23.7471)^2 = (23.4307)^2 + (20.5183)^2 - 2(23.4307)(20.5183)costheta
theta = 65
 
  • #5
needingtoknow said:
c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2abcosC
c = 23.7471

h^2 = a^2 + b^2
h = 23.4307

h^2 = a^2 + b^2
h = 20.5183

(23.7471)^2 = (23.4307)^2 + (20.5183)^2 - 2(23.4307)(20.5183)costheta
theta = 65
I can't be expected to follow that if you keep changing what the letters refer to and don't specify each time.
 
  • #6
Using AD = 15cm, BD = 18cm, CD = 14cm and angle BDC = 95 degrees, I too get 65 degrees as angle BAC.
 
  • #7
c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2abcosC
c = 23.7471 Finding length of BC

h^2 = a^2 + b^2
h = 23.4307 Finding length of AB

h^2 = a^2 + b^2
h = 20.5183 Finding length of AC

(23.7471)^2 = (23.4307)^2 + (20.5183)^2 - 2(23.4307)(20.5183)costheta
theta = 65 Finding angle theta of triangle ABC
 
  • #8
After making some guesses about the other assignments in those equations, I'm led to suppose you are taking angles ADB, ADC to be right angles. I don't see that stated anywhere.
As I said, to get an angle of over 90 degrees as the answer, you will need the 15cm to refer to AC, not AD. OTOH, I then get 91.9 degrees, so it still doesn't seem quite right.
 
  • #9
All right so it must be a textbook answer key problem. Thank you very much for your help
 

1. How is Trigonometry used to solve 3D pyramid questions?

Trigonometry is used to find missing sides and angles of a 3D pyramid by using the relationships between the sides and angles of right triangles within the pyramid.

2. What are the key formulas used in solving Trigonometry 3D pyramid questions?

The key formulas used are the Pythagorean theorem, sine, cosine, and tangent ratios, and the law of cosines and law of sines.

3. How do you find the height of a 3D pyramid using Trigonometry?

To find the height of a 3D pyramid, you can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of the slant height, and then use the sine ratio to find the height using the angle between the base and the slant height.

4. Can Trigonometry be used to find the volume of a 3D pyramid?

Yes, Trigonometry can be used to find the volume of a 3D pyramid by first finding the area of the base using basic geometry formulas, and then using the formula for the volume of a pyramid, which is (1/3) * base area * height.

5. How is Trigonometry used in real-life applications involving 3D pyramids?

Trigonometry is used in fields such as architecture and engineering to calculate the dimensions and angles of 3D pyramids, which can then be used in the construction of buildings and structures. It is also used in navigation and surveying to determine distances and angles between points.

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