# Is there a formula to find the side length of a right pyramid using its height/volume

1. Sep 16, 2011

### Shannog

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Basically the volume of the pyramid is 554.9 and its height is 15.1. I know that the forumla to find the volume of a pyramid is V=1/3lwh but I'm too dumb to figure out how to switch it around to make it work.

3. The attempt at a solution

I don't even know where to start!

2. Sep 16, 2011

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Re: Is there a formula to find the side length of a right pyramid using its height/vo

V= (1/3)lwh is the volume of a pyramid with rectangular base with side lengths l and w and height h. If you know the volume of the pyramid, V, and height l, then you can solve for the base area as lw= 3V/h. You cannot solve for l and w separately- they can be any numbers that multiply to give 3V/h. If you know the base is square, with side lengths l= w= s, you have $s^2= 3V/h$ then $s= \sqrt{3V/h}$.

Last edited: Sep 17, 2011