Lesson 3

Creating Cross Sections by Dilating

  • Let’s create cross sections by doing dilations.

Problem 1

Each image shows a quadrilateral in a plane. The quadrilateral has been dilated using a center above the plane and a scale factor between 0 and 1. Match the dilation with the scale factor used.

Dilation A

A quadrilateral in a plane.

Dilation B

A quadrilateral in a plane.

Dilation C

A quadrilateral in a plane.
A:

Dilation A

B:

Dilation B

C:

Dilation C

1:

\(\frac{1}{4}\)

2:

\(\frac{1}{2}\)

3:

\(\frac{3}{4}\)

Problem 2

The Pyramid of Khufu in Giza, Egypt was the world’s tallest free-standing structure for more than 3,500 years. Its original height was about 144 meters. Its base is approximately a square with a side length of 231 meters.

The diagram shows a cross section created by dilating the base using the top of the pyramid as the center of dilation. The cross section is at a height of 96 meters.

A pyramid with a square base.
  1. What scale factor was used to create the cross section?
  2. What are the dimensions of the cross section?

Problem 3

The horizontal cross sections of this figure are dilations of the bottom rectangle using a point above the rectangle as a center. What scale factors of dilation are represented in the figure’s cross sections?

Irregular rectangular prism with base of 1 unit by 1 unit.
A:

scale factors between \(0\) and \(\frac{1}{2}\)

B:

scale factors between \(0\) and \(1\)

C:

scale factors between \(\frac{1}{4}\) and \(\frac{3}{4}\)

D:

scale factors between \(\frac{1}{2}\) and \(1\)

Problem 4

Imagine an upright cone with its base resting on your horizontal desk. Match each plane with the image of the cross section formed by intersecting the plane with the cone.

Figure 1

A triangle. 

Figure 2

A circle.

Figure 3

An ellipse. Horizontal axis is longer than the vertical axis.
A:

horizontal

B:

vertical, through cone’s topmost point

C:

diagonal

1:

Figure 1

2:

Figure 2

3:

Figure 3

(From Unit 5, Lesson 2.)

Problem 5

What is the shape of the cross section formed by intersecting a cube with a vertical plane that passes through opposite edges of the cube? Explain how you know.

(From Unit 5, Lesson 2.)

Problem 6

Sketch the solid of rotation formed by rotating the given two-dimensional figure using the dashed vertical line as an axis of rotation.

Dotted vertical line. Next to it are 2 equidistant line segments that meet at an obtuse angle, pointing toward the vertical line.
(From Unit 5, Lesson 1.)

Problem 7

Technology required. A rope with a length of 4 meters is tied from a stake in the ground to the top of a tent. It forms a 20 degree angle with the ground. How tall is the tent?

(From Unit 4, Lesson 7.)

Problem 8

Technology required. What is the value of \(y\)? 

triangle DEF. Angle D = 42 degrees, angle E = 48 degrees. Side DE=7 units. Side DF labeled y.
(From Unit 4, Lesson 6.)