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Date November 2008 Marks available 2 Reference code 08N.1.sl.TZ0.12
Level SL only Paper 1 Time zone TZ0
Command term Calculate Question number 12 Adapted from N/A

Question

The diagram shows a pyramid \({\text{VABCD}}\) which has a square base of length \(10{\text{ cm}}\) and edges of length \(13{\text{ cm}}\). \({\text{M}}\) is the midpoint of the side \({\text{BC}}\).

Calculate the length of \({\text{VM}}\).

[2]
a.

Calculate the vertical height of the pyramid.

[2]
b.

Markscheme

Unit penalty (UP) applies in this question.

\({\text{VM}}^{2} = {13^2} - {5^2}\)     (M1)

UP     \( = 12{\text{ cm}}\)     (A1)     (C2)

[2 marks]

a.

Unit penalty (UP) applies in this question.

\({h^2} = {12^2} - {5^2}\) (or equivalent)     (M1)

UP     \( = 10.9{\text{ cm}}\)     (A1)(ft)     (C2)

[2 marks]

b.

Examiners report

This question was poorly answered by many of the candidates. Pythagoras was improperly applied and candidates were unable to identify right angled triangles.

a.

This question was poorly answered by many of the candidates. Pythagoras was improperly applied and candidates were unable to identify right angled triangles.

b.

Syllabus sections

Topic 5 - Geometry and trigonometry » 5.4 » Geometry of three-dimensional solids: cuboid; right prism; right pyramid; right cone; cylinder; sphere; hemisphere; and combinations of these solids.
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