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3D Pythagoras and Trigonometry

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3D Pythagoras and Trigonometry Revision

3D Pythagoras and Trigonometry

3D Pythagoras and Trigonometry is just adding a 3rd dimension.

First lets recap the basics.

Pythagoras’ Theorem.

\textcolor{red}{a}^2 + \textcolor{limegreen}{b}^2 = \textcolor{blue}{c}^2,

Secondly, trigonometry and SOHCAHTOA.

\sin(x) = \dfrac{O}{H}, \,\, \cos(x) = \dfrac{A}{H}, \,\, \tan(x) = \dfrac{O}{A}

Make sure you are happy with these topics before continuing

Revise trigonometry

Revise Pythagoras

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3D Pythagoras

For 3D Pythagoras, there is a new equation we can use, which just uses Pythagoras’ theorem twice.

In the diagram shown, find the length of \textcolor{red}{d}

[3 marks]

3D-Pythagoras image 1

We already know that,

Equation 1:

\textcolor{limegreen}{a}^2 + \textcolor{orange}{b}^2 = \textcolor{black}{e}^2

and we can see that edc also forms a right angled triangle so we know,

Equation 2:

\textcolor{black}{e}^2 + \textcolor{blue}{c}^2 =\textcolor{red}{d}^2

So this means we can combine equation 1 and 2, to give our 3D Pythagoras equation.

\textcolor{limegreen}{a}^2 + \textcolor{orange}{b}^2 +\textcolor{blue}{c}^2 =\textcolor{red}{d}^2

 

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3D Trigonometry

With 3D Trigonometry, there is no trick, you need to solve each section in steps which makes it a harder topic.

Example: Shape ABCDEFG is a cuboid.

[3 marks]

 Find the length of side FC, marked in red, to 3 sf.

3D Trigonometry Image 2

Firstly, the shape is a cuboid, which means every corner is a right-angle.

First what we need to do is find FH, this will give us the base of the right-angled triangle FHC, which will let us find FC.

3D-Trigonometry 2

To find side-length FH, we need to use trigonometry

Adjacent FE=9\text{ cm}

Hypotenuse =x

This means we will be using ‘CAH

3D-Trigonometry 3

\cos(26) = \dfrac{\text{Adjacent}}{\text{Hypotenuse}} = \dfrac{9}{FH}

FH \times \cos(26) = 9

FH = 9 \div \cos(26) = 10.013… cm

Now we know FH, our first triangle, FCH, looks like this:

 

Now, we know two side-lengths of this triangle, we can use Pythagoras’ theorem to find the third, FC, which is the answer to the whole question.

(FC)^2 = 5^2 + (10.013…)^2

FC = \sqrt{5^{2} + (10.013…)^{2}} = 11.2 cm (3 sf).

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3D Pythagoras and Trigonometry Example Questions

If we draw a line from the apex at E down to the centre of the base, then that line represents the perpendicular height, since we know the apex is directly above the centre. Consider the triangle formed by this line, the line which goes from the centre to C, and the line EC.

3D Pythagoras and Trig Height Answer

 

We know the hypotenuse, but we need further information. Here, we observe the distance from the centre to C is half the distance from A to C. Given that we know the width of the square-based triangle, we can find the length of AC, halve it, and then use the result as a part of Pythagoras’ theorem to find the perpendicular height.

 

For finding AC, consider the triangle ABC.

3D Pythagoras and Trig Height Answer

 

Therefore, the distance from the centre of the base to C is 5\sqrt{2}. Finally, we consider again the first triangle, which we now know has base of 5\sqrt{2} cm, and calculate the perpendicular height.

 

12^2 = (\text{HEIGHT})^2 + (5\sqrt{2})^2

 

(\text{HEIGHT})^2 = 12^2 - (5\sqrt{2})^2 = 144 - 50 = 94

 

\text{HEIGHT } = \sqrt{94} cm.

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Here we use 3D Pythagoras to find that AY is

 

AY^2 =9^2 + 6^2+6^2

 

AY =\sqrt{81+36+36}=\sqrt{153}=3\sqrt{17} cm.

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Here we use 3D Pythagoras to find that CE is

 

CE^2 =9^2 + 6^2+12^2

 

CE =\sqrt{81+36+144}=\sqrt{261}=3\sqrt{29} cm.

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First of all, we can work out the length of DB by Pythagoras or by recognizing that the diagonal of a square is \sqrt{2} \times \text{ side length}, thus:

DB=14\sqrt{2}

 

Hence the length from D to the centre of the square, O, is half this value

 

DO=7\sqrt{2}

 

Now we have enough information to find the required angle,

 

\tan(EDB) = \dfrac{O}{A} = \dfrac{11}{7\sqrt{2}}=

 

\text{Angle} \, EDB = tan^{-1} \bigg( \dfrac{11}{7\sqrt{2}} \bigg)=48.0\degree

 

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