Question

Suppose you could climb to the top of the great pyramid. Which route would be shorter, a route along a lateral edge or a route along the slant height of a side? Which of these routes is steeper? Explain your answers.

Answer 1

Consider a regular pyramid. A pyramid has slant height, altitude, base, and a lateral edge. The lateral edge is always greater than the slant height. Therefore, if you climb to the top of the Great Pyramid, the route that is shorter is a route along the slant height of a side.