[Math] pyramid with a trapezoid as a base.

geometry

Prove that there exists a pyramid SABCD with a given trapezoid ABCD as a base (BC||AD; the trapezoid's lateral sides AB and CD are not parallel) such that the pyramid's lateral faces SAB and SCD are both orthogonal to the base plane .

I figured out the case where the base of the pyramid is a triangle. In that case, two sides can be orthogonal to the base plane. I dont think it is possible for all three sides of the pyramid to be orthogonal though. As for the case where the base is a trapezoid, I have a hard time seeing it.

Best Answer

Let $A = (2,0,0)$, $B = (1,0,0)$, $C = (0,1,0)$, $D = (0,2,0)$, and $S = (0,0,2)$.

Then, $ABCD$ is a trapezoid (with $BC \parallel AD$ and $AB \not\parallel CD$) which lies in the $xy$-plane.

Also, $SAB$ lies in the $xz$-plane and $SCD$ lies in the $yz$-plane, which are each orthogonal to the $xy$-plane.

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