Volume of a Tetrahedron: General Slicing Method

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter MarkFL
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Tetrahedron Volume
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The volume of a tetrahedron with edge lengths of 6 can be calculated using the general slicing method. By orienting the coordinate axis with the apex at the origin, the height \( h \) is derived from the relationship between the apothem \( a \) and the slant height \( \ell \). The volume \( V \) is ultimately expressed as \( V = \frac{\sqrt{2}s^3}{12} \), leading to a final volume of \( 18\sqrt{2} \) when substituting \( s = 6 \).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of tetrahedron geometry and properties
  • Familiarity with calculus, specifically integration techniques
  • Knowledge of coordinate systems and geometric slicing methods
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic expressions and equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of volume formulas for different polyhedra
  • Learn about the application of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus in volume calculations
  • Explore geometric slicing methods in higher dimensions
  • Investigate the properties of regular tetrahedra and their applications in various fields
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, engineering students, educators teaching geometry and calculus, and anyone interested in advanced volume calculation techniques.

MarkFL
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
13,284
Reaction score
12
Here is the question:

General slicing method to find volume of a tetrahedron?


General slicing method to find volume of a tetrahedron (pyramid with four triangular faces), all whose edges have length 6?

I have posted a link there to this thread so the OP can view my work.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Hello Bringing truth.

Let's orient our coordinate axis, the $x$-axis, such that it is perpendicular to the base and passes through the apex. Let the point where this axis intersects the base be the origin of the axis. The distance from the origin to the apex along this axis is the height $h$ of the tetrahedron. To determine $h$, we may construct a right triangle whose shorter leg is the apothem $a$ of the base, the longer leg is $h$, and the hypotenuse is the slant height $\ell$ of one of the adjoining faces. Let $s$ be the edge lengths os the tetrahedron.

Let's first determine the apothem $a$. If we divide the base into 3 congruent triangles, we may equate the area of the whole triangle to the 3 smaller triangles:

$$\frac{1}{2}s^2\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}=3\cdot\frac{1}{2}sa$$

$$s\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}=3a$$

$$a=\frac{s}{2\sqrt{3}}$$

And the slant height is given by:

$$\ell=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}s$$

Hence:

$$h=\sqrt{\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}s \right)^2-\left(\frac{s}{2\sqrt{3}} \right)^2}=s\sqrt{\frac{3}{4}-\frac{1}{12}}=s\sqrt{\frac{2}{3}}$$

Now, if we take cross sections perpendicular to the $x$-axis, we may give the volume of an arbitrary slice as:

$$dV=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}s^2(x)\,dx$$

We know $s(x)$ will be a linear function, containing the points:

$$(0,s)$$ and $$(h,0)$$

Thus the slope of the line is:

$$m=-\frac{s}{h}$$

And thus, using the point-slope formula, we find:

$$s(x)=-\frac{s}{h}x+s=\frac{s}{h}\left(h-x \right)$$

Hence, we may state:

$$dV=\frac{\sqrt{3}s^2}{4h^2}\left(h-x \right)^2\,dx$$

Summing up the slices, we may write:

$$V=\frac{\sqrt{3}s^2}{4h^2}\int_0^h\left(h-x \right)^2\,dx$$

Using the substitution:

$$u=h-x\,\therefore\,du=-dx$$ we obtain:

$$V=-\frac{\sqrt{3}s^2}{4h^2}\int_h^0 u^2\,du=\frac{\sqrt{3}s^2}{4h^2}\int_0^h u^2\,du$$

Applying the FTOC, we have:

$$V=\frac{\sqrt{3}s^2}{12h^2}\left[u^3 \right]_0^h=\frac{\sqrt{3}hs^2}{12}$$

Using the value we found for $h$, we have:

$$V=\frac{\sqrt{3}\left(s\sqrt{\frac{2}{3}} \right)s^2}{12}=\frac{\sqrt{2}s^3}{12}$$

Now using the given data $s=6$, we obtain:

$$V=\frac{\sqrt{2}6^3}{12}=18\sqrt{2}$$
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
7K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K