Pyramid (geometry) facts for kids
A pyramid is a special kind of shape that you can hold in your hand, also known as a three-dimensional shape. Imagine a flat bottom part, called the base. From this base, triangular sides rise up and meet at a single point at the very top. This top point is called the apex.
What Makes a Pyramid?
Pyramids are named after the shape of their base.
- If a pyramid has a square base and four triangular sides, it's called a square pyramid. Think of the famous pyramids in Egypt!
- If the base is a triangle and it has three triangular sides, it's called a tetrahedron. This is the simplest type of pyramid.
How to Find a Pyramid's Volume
The volume of a shape tells you how much space it takes up. For a pyramid, you can find its volume using a simple formula.
The formula is: V = (B × h) / 3
Let's break that down:
- V stands for the volume of the pyramid.
- B stands for the area of the base of the pyramid. To find this, you multiply the length of the base by its width.
- h stands for the height of the pyramid. This is the distance from the center of the base straight up to the apex.
So, to find the volume, you first calculate the area of the base. Then, you multiply that base area by the pyramid's height. Finally, you divide that total by three. This gives you the total space inside the pyramid!
Images for kids
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This image shows a general right pyramid. Its apex is directly above the center of its base.
See also
In Spanish: Pirámide (geometría) para niños
