The base of a triangular pyramid is a triangle with corners at (3 ,4 ), (6 ,2 ), and (5 ,5 ). If the pyramid has a height of 7 , what is the pyramid's volume?

1 Answer
Sep 14, 2016

7/3 cu unit

Explanation:

We know the volume of pyramid = 1/3 * area of the base * height cu unit.
Here, the area of the base of triangle = 1/2[x1(y2-y3)+x2(y3-y1)+x3(y1-y2)] where the corners are (x1,y1) = (3,4), (x2,y2) = (6,2) and (x3,y3) = (5,5) respectively.
So the area of the triangle =1/2[3(2-5)+6(5-4)+5(4-2)]
=1/2[3*(-3) + 6*1 + 5*2] = 1/2 * 2 = 1 sq unit
Hence the volume of pyramid = 1/3 * 1 * 7 = 7/3 cu unit