The mathematical concepts of Egypt's Great Pyramid

9 Feb 2020

The mathematical concepts of Egypt’s Great Pyramid

The mathematical concepts of Egypt’s Great PyramidThe Egyptians built the pyramids as tombs for their king or pharaoh. The three largest and well-preserved pyramids are in Giza outside of Cairo.

Of the 3, the most popular is the Great Pyramid of Giza. However, its design and construction are based on advanced mathematics. Let's read about them.

The Pyramid of Giza is a square pyramid as its base is a square from which arise 4 equilateral triangles. So, this structure has 5 faces, 8 edges and 5 vertices.
 	The Great Pyramid has a base of 230.4m and a height of 146.5m. If one divides the perimeter of the pyramid by its height, one obtains a close approximation of 2 Pi. Pi is a mathematical constant whose value is approximated at 3.14 and is used for many formulas in math and physics.
 	The Great Pyramid fulfils the Golden Ratio or Phi. Like Pi, Phi, too, is a constant approximating to 1.618. The Golden Ratio in the pyramids is the ratio of the length or height of the triangular face to half the length of the square base.

One can draw a circle of diameter 365.4 feet inside the pyramid. This coincides with the Earth’s year of 365.242 days.
 	The north face of the Great Pyramid faces directly to the North Pole of the Earth.
 	The Great Pyramid can also tell time. The structure actually acts as an enormous sundial and was also able to signal solstices and equinoxes*.

*Summer solstice (June) occurs when the Sun is over the Tropic of Cancer and winter solstice (December) occurs when the Sun is over the Tropic of Capricorn. An equinox occurs when the Sun is directly over the equator. It happens twice a year (March and September).

Recommended for Secondary Grades

The Egyptians built the pyramids as tombs for their king or pharaoh. The three largest and well-preserved pyramids are in Giza outside of Cairo. Of […]

To read more...

Share your comment! Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

To post your comment Login/Signup