3D Trigonometry

Starter
Can you find the value of x in this diagram to 2dp? Be
careful with rounding answers!
1) Start by finding the opposite 3) Then you can find the angle x by
side in the left triangle using the opposite and hypotenuse in
the upper triangle
NOT TO SCALE
Hyp

13cm

x
49.82
Opp
5.93
2) Then subtract this from the
4cm hypotenuse of the lower triangle
42
5.93

8cm
7.20
Adj Hyp
Opp
24
12cm
Adj

 3D Trigonometry
We have looked at using trigonometry in lots of
situations

Today we will be focusing on using it in 3D problems

The key to answering questions in 3D is thinking

about separate parts of them in 2D

You will find that making quick sketches as you

work will help you visualise what to do!
 3D Trigonometry
ABCDEFGH is a cuboid, as shown.
a) Calculate the length of BD 8.06cm (65)
b) Calculate the angle between BH and the base of the cuboid
You can find the length of BD by just using the base

H G
4cm

E F 7cm
D C
6cm
Sub in values
4cm

Add up
A 7cm B

Square root

(Remember that as an exact value, c = 65!)
 3D Trigonometry
ABCDEFGH is a cuboid, as shown.
a) Calculate the length of BD 8.06cm (65)
b) Calculate the angle between BH and the base of the cuboid
To find the angle between BH and the base, draw on BH,
and look to make a right angled triangle (inside the shape)
H G
Opp
6
E F

D C
6cm 65
Adj
65 4cm
Sub in values
A 7cm B
Calculate

Use inverse Tan

 Plenary
The great pyramid of Giza is a square based pyramid of side length 230m,
and is 139m high. If you were to stand in one corner and walk up the
pyramid to the top, what angle would you be walking up at and how far
would you have to walk?
We need the length of the diagonal first

Sub in values

230m
Add up

Square root
230m

230m
325.27m

230m
 Plenary
The great pyramid of Giza is a square based pyramid of side length 230m,
and is 139m high. If you were to stand in one corner and walk up the
pyramid to the top, what angle would you be walking up at and how far
would you have to walk?
Now we can draw the height on, and halve the length
we just found

139m

Opp Sub in values

139m
Calculate

40.5 Use inverse Tan
230m
325.27m 162.63m
162.63m
Adj
230m So you would be walking
up at an angle of 40.5
 Plenary
The great pyramid of Giza is a square based pyramid of side length 230m,
and is 139m high. If you were to stand in one corner and walk up the
pyramid to the top, what angle would you be walking up at and how far
would you have to walk?
Now we can draw the height on, and halve the length
we just found

139m So you would be walking up at an

angle of 40.5

139m
Sub in values

40.5 Add up
230m
162.63m
162.63m Square root

230m
So you would have to walk a distance
of 213.9m to the top!
 Summary
We have looked at using Trigonometry
in 3D shapes

We have seen how to model this using

2D diagrams

We have seen that diagrams help a lot!!

 Starter (printout)
Can you find the value of x in this diagram to 2dp? Be
careful with rounding answers!

NOT TO SCALE

13cm
x

4cm
42

8cm

24
12cm
 Plenary (printout)
The great pyramid of Giza is a square based pyramid of side length 230m,
and is 139m high. If you were to stand in one corner and walk up the
pyramid to the top, what angle would you be walking up at and how far
would you have to walk?