A frustrum of pyramid with square base has its upper and lower sections as squares of sizes 2m and 5m respectively and the distance between them 6m. Find the height of the pyramid from which the frustrum was obtained.
Take Free Practice Test On 2026 JAMB UTME, Post UTME, WAEC SSCE, GCE, NECO SSCE
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
The lateral view of the frustrum
\(\tan \theta = \frac{6}{1.5} = 4\)
\(\theta = \tan^{-1} 4 = 75.96°\)
Extending to the full height of the pyramid, we have
The height of the pyramid which formed the frustrum = (6 + x)m,
\(\tan 75.96 = \frac{6 + x}{2.5}\)
\(6 + x = 2.5 \times 4 = 10.0\)
\(\therefore \text{The height of the pyramid} = 10.0m\)
The lateral view of the frustrum
\(\tan \theta = \frac{6}{1.5} = 4\)
\(\theta = \tan^{-1} 4 = 75.96°\)
Extending to the full height of the pyramid, we have
The height of the pyramid which formed the frustrum = (6 + x)m,
\(\tan 75.96 = \frac{6 + x}{2.5}\)
\(6 + x = 2.5 \times 4 = 10.0\)
\(\therefore \text{The height of the pyramid} = 10.0m\)