The Louvre Pyramid: A Math Problem for Geometry Enthusiasts

The Louvre Pyramid, designed by architect I.M. Pei, stands as a modern masterpiece in the heart of Paris. Known for its intricate geometry, this glass-and-metal structure draws millions of visitors each year. Suppose you’re working on a detailed model of the pyramid for an international architecture competition. Along with calculating the volume, you’re also required to analyze additional structural details to estimate the resources needed for its replica.

Word Problem

The Louvre Pyramid has a square base with a side length of 35 meters and a height of 20 meters. It is constructed using 673 glass panels, each of which is a triangular shape. If the pyramid’s surface area (excluding the base) is calculated as 1,840 square meters, determine the volume of the pyramid and the average area of a single triangular glass panel used in its construction. Use the volume formula for a pyramid and break the surface area into equal triangular sections for your calculation.

Questions:
  1. What is the volume of the Louvre Pyramid in cubic meters?
  2. What is the average area of a single triangular glass panel in square meters?

Options:
A) Volume: 8100 cubic meters, Average Area: 2.5 square meters
B) Volume: 8166.67 cubic meters, Average Area: 2.73 square meters
C) Volume: 8200 cubic meters, Average Area: 3 square meters
D) Volume: 8000 cubic meters, Average Area: 2.7 square meters

Explore more problems on this topic at Mensuration (Area and Volume) or sign up on LearnTheta’s AI-Powered Practice Platform.

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