Slant height is a term commonly used in geometry, especially when dealing with 3-dimensional shapes such as cones and pyramids. It refers to the distance from the base to the apex (top) of the shape along its slanting side.
The slant height of a cone or pyramid can be calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem. If the height (h) and the radius of the base (r) are known, the slant height (l) can be found using the formula:
l = √(r2 + h2)
Let's say we have a cone with a radius of 5 units and a height of 12 units. To find the slant height, we can use the formula:
l = √(52 + 122)
l = √(25 + 144)
l = √169
l = 13 units