What is the height of the scaled-up Pyramid of Egypt?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the height of a scaled-up model of the Pyramid of Egypt based on the height of a miniature version and the relationship between density and volume. Participants explore the mathematical reasoning behind the scaling while addressing the conditions of mass and density.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that the height of the scaled-up Pyramid is 9 inches.
  • Another participant claims the height is 81 inches.
  • A different participant suggests the height is 27 inches.
  • One participant expresses confusion about how to approach the problem, noting that dimensions are proportional but struggling to formulate the equations needed.
  • Another participant revises their previous thought and agrees that the height is 27 inches.
  • One participant expresses frustration over the lack of a correct answer being provided.
  • A later post calculates the height to be 6.24 inches, providing a detailed explanation involving mass, density, and volume relationships.
  • One participant confirms that 6.24 inches is correct and elaborates on the reasoning behind the calculation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views regarding the height of the scaled-up Pyramid, with no consensus reached on the correct answer. Various heights are proposed, and some participants express confusion or frustration over the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on assumptions about the relationship between mass, density, and volume, but there are unresolved mathematical steps and differing interpretations of the problem.

powergirl
My Dad has a miniature Pyramid of Egypt. It is 3 inches in height. Dad was invited to display it at an exhibition. Dad felt it was too small and decided to build a scaled-up model of the Pyramid out of material whose density is (1/ 9) times the density of the material used for the miniature. He did a "back-of-the-envelope" calculation to check whether the model would be big enough.

If the mass (or weight) of the miniature and the scaled-up model are to be the same, how many inches in height will be the scaled-up Pyramid? Give your answer to two places of decimal.
 
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9 inches!

needed more text
 
NO...Not right
 
81"

(Again text limit)
 
How did you guys solve this? This one confused me for some reason. I know that all the dimensions between the two are proportional but I couldn't immediately see how to put that into the equations. A ratio would have worked but I didn't see one that helped solve the problem. I would sit down and think harder about it but I got to go.
 
Yea, it's 27", I have no idea what the heck I was thinking. Was just about to fall asleep and then I realized.
 
No one gave me the right ans:
 
what the hell, this question is making me mad. lol
 
  • #10
try it.....
 
  • #11
6.24" text limit again[/color]

3\cdot\left(\frac{1}{9}\right)^{-1/3}
 
Last edited:
  • #12
6.24 it is.
 
  • #13
yes 6.24 is correct
soln is as:
Mass = Density x Volume; and
Volume of model / Volume of miniature = (H of model / H of miniature)3.


In the above equation, H is the characteristic dimension (say, height).

If the mass is to be the same, then density is inversely proportional to volume. Also, the volumes are directly proportional to the cubes of the heights for objects that are geometrically similar. Therefore, the heights are seen to be inversely proportional to the cube roots of the densities. Thus,

Height of model = Height of miniature x (Density of miniature / Density of model)1/3 or

Height of model = 3 x [ 91/3 ] = 6.24 inches.
 

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