Math Playground
Geometry

Pyramids

A polygon base, all sides meeting at one peak.

A pyramid has a polygon base and triangular faces meeting at one apex. Egypt's pyramids have a square base; the Louvre's has a glass one; a triangular pyramid (tetrahedron) is the simplest of all.

Volume of any pyramid
V = ⅓ × base-area × height

Same one-third rule that the cone obeys.

Named pyramids

  • Tetrahedron — triangular base. The smallest possible polyhedron — every face is a triangle.
  • Square pyramid — square base. The shape of the Egyptian pyramids and the Louvre.
  • Pentagonal pyramid — pentagon base. Five triangular faces.