ABCD is a regular tetrahedron (right triangular pyramid). If M is the midpoint of CD, then what is cos ABM?
+307 Answer: \(\frac{\sqrt3}{3}\)
Solution:
In the orientation that I* would view this in, A would tbe the point on the 'top'. Side CD as well as point B are on the base of the tetrahedron. Since BCD is an equilateral triangle, the median from CD to B would pass through its center. Call the center O. AOB would be 90 degrees (if it isn't clear, angle ABO is the same as angle ABM). Because there is a right triangle with the desired angle in the right place 'SOH CAH TOA' can be applied, where AB is hypotenuse and BO is adjacent. BO is equal to 2/3 the length of the median MB, which itself is \(\frac{\sqrt3}{2}\) of AB. That makes BO \(\frac{\sqrt3}{3}\) of AB. BO/AB = cos ABM = \(\frac{\sqrt3}{3}\).
*Being bad at geometry, especially 3d geometry, runs in my family. This may not be correct (especially since the question has been asked before on this site and answered with 2/5; no work shown. The answer had -2 points, so it probably wasn't correct, but...)
+128408 For convenience let the side of the tetrahedron = 1....let
A = ( -1/2 , 0 , 0)
B = ( 1/2, 0, 0 )
C = (0, sqrt (3)/2, 0)
D = (0, sqrt (3)/4 , 6/sqrt (3) )
M = (0 , (3/8) sqrt (3) , 3/sqrt (3) ) = (0, (3/8)sqrt (3) , sqrt (3) )
AB = 1
AM = BM = sqrt [ (-1/2)^2 + (3sqrt (3) / 8)^2 + (sqrt 3)^2 = sqrt [ 1/4 + 27/64 + 3 ] =
sqrt (235) / 8
By the Law of Cosines
AM^2 = AB^2 + BM^2 - 2 (AB) (BM)cos (ABM)
0 = 1 - 2 ( 1) (sqrt (235) / 8) cos ABM
0 = 1 - [sqrt ( 235) / 8] cos ABM
-1 / - [ sqrt (235) / 8] = cos ABM
8 / sqrt ( 235) = cos ABM
