Rectangular Pyramid Slant Height Formula:
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The slant height of a rectangular pyramid is the distance measured along a lateral face from the base to the apex along the center of the face. It's an important measurement in geometry and architecture.
The calculator uses the slant height formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula comes from applying the Pythagorean theorem to the right triangle formed by half the base, the height, and the slant height.
Details: Slant height is crucial for calculating the surface area of a pyramid, determining material requirements in construction, and solving various geometric problems.
Tips: Enter the base length and height in consistent units. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the slant height in the same units.
Q1: Is this formula different for square pyramids?
A: No, a square pyramid is a special case of rectangular pyramid where all base sides are equal, so the same formula applies.
Q2: Can I use this for oblique pyramids?
A: No, this formula only works for right pyramids where the apex is directly above the center of the base.
Q3: How does this relate to lateral edge length?
A: The slant height is different from the lateral edge length, which runs from a base corner to the apex.
Q4: What if my pyramid has a rectangular base?
A: For rectangular bases, you would need to calculate slant heights for both length and width directions separately.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact for perfect right rectangular pyramids.