Volume of a Roof: Find Attic and Surface Area

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the volume of an attic with a rectangular base and a hip roof configuration. The attic is defined by a base of length $2q$ and breadth $2p$, with the roof ridge length $R$ determined to be independent of the angle $\theta$, expressed as $R = 2(q-p)$. The volume of the attic can be derived using trigonometric relationships, specifically the height $h$ of the roof ridge, which is related to the angle $\theta$ by the equation $h/p = \tan\theta$. Visual aids such as front and side elevations are recommended for better understanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic geometry, specifically properties of prisms and pyramids.
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions, particularly tangent ratios.
  • Ability to visualize geometric shapes and their dimensions.
  • Knowledge of hip roof structures and their characteristics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of triangular prisms and pyramids for better comprehension of attic shapes.
  • Learn about trigonometric functions and their applications in geometry, focusing on tangent and its use in height calculations.
  • Explore methods for visualizing geometric structures through elevation drawings.
  • Investigate the mathematical derivation of volume formulas for various roof shapes, including hip roofs.
USEFUL FOR

Architects, structural engineers, students studying geometry, and anyone involved in designing or analyzing roof structures will benefit from this discussion.

Poly1
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My house has an attic consisting of a horizontal rectangular base of length $2q$ and breadth $2p$ (where $p < q$) and four plane roof sections each at angle length $\theta$ to the horizontal. Show that the length of the roof ridge is independent of $\theta$ and find the volume of the attic and the surface area of the roof.

I'm struggling with this problem mainly because I can't visualize what's going on. Thanks.
 
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The best I can figure, the attic is in the shape of a pyramid having a rectangular base and two pairs of congruent isosceles triangles as the other sides.

However, if the roof ridge is composed of the lines of intersection between the 4 sections of roof, then this certainly is a function of the angle $\theta$.

So, I am just as confused by this problem as you are.(Drunk)
 
There is a workout for it given in here. I don't understand it though.
 
Okay, now I understand.

The attic is a triangular prism with a half-pyramid (the whole pyramid with square base) at each end.

The roof ridge R is then the length of the prism, which will be the length minus the breadth:

$\displaystyle R=2q-2p=2(q-p)$

This does not depend upon $\displaystyle \theta$ and so is independent of the angle.

Now, using some trigonometry, can you find the altitude of the ridge above the base? We will need this to find the volume of the attic.
 
This is what is called a hip roof, which looks like this:
The ends slope at the same angle as the sides. My advice is to draw a front elevation and a side elevation of this building. That should help you to visualise the geometry of the structure. Denote by $h$ the vertical height of the roof ridge above its base. You should be able to see from the side elevation that $h/p = \tan\theta$. Then use the front elevation to see that $R = 2(q-p)$, as MarkFL says.
 

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