Pyramids

The Great Pyramid

King Khufu's Tomb

This project is dedicated to the proposition that
The Great Pyramid is a rational
(in the mathematical sense)
structure, designed and built by normal people.







All the lengths



Building Your Own Great Pyramid

(scale: 1 cm/10 meters)
This activity assumes a knowledge of the Pythagorean Theorem.

[Right Triangle] The Pythagorean Theorem states:
In a right triangle, with sides a and b, and hypotenuse c, then c²=a²+b².   A right triangle is a triangle with one right angle (an angle of 90°).   Its hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle.

  1. What are the dimensions of the square that is the base of The Great Pyramid?
    Determine the dimensions of the base of your pyramid.
    Fill in here: ______________________________   Draw the base on your paper.

  2. Mark the midpoints of the four sides of the base and draw two faint guidelines
    across your pyramid floor.

  3. What is the height of The Great Pyramid?   Determine the height of your pyramid.
    Fill in here: Pyramid Height = _________________________________________

  4. Next figure out the dimensions of the sides of your pyramid.   Use the Pythagorean
    Theorem to find the height of the triangles that are the sides of your pyramid.
    Fill in here: Side Triangle Height = ______________________________________

  5. On your paper mark the points that will become the top of your pyramid.

  6. Draw the lines that define the triangles that will become the sides of your pyramid.
    (You will probably have to draw one of the sides separately on your paper.)

  7. You will need to make a separate triangle that will show the inside of the pyramid.
    What will it's dimensions be?____________________________    Draw this triangle.

    Pyramid Cross Section Explanation
  8. Cut out your three shapes.

  9. Glue the Red Cross-Section picture to your inside triangle.

  10. Fold and tape to assemble.



























            "I was perplexed by the fact that over 100,000 people worked on the Pyramid, yet the mathematics in the design remained a secret for so long. I now know that they did it with a tall pole mounted near the center of the unfinished Pyramid. With ropes tied to this pole the regular workers could position stones accurately but have no idea of the math behind it. I believe this is where the May pole festival started."

©;1986-2000,Terrance G. Nevin
last time updated 1/16/2000

Pyramid Pole

Excerpted from "http://www.aloha.net/~hawmtn/pyramid.htm"
















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