Pyramid with Square base | AIME I, 1995 | Question 12

Pyramid OABCD has square base ABCD, congruent edges OA,OB,OC,OD and Angle AOB=45, Let \(\theta\) be the measure of dihedral angle formed by faces OAB and OBC, given that cos\(\theta\)=m+\(\sqrt{n}\), find m+n.

Let \(\theta\) be angle formed by two perpendiculars drawn to BO one from plane ABC and one from plane OBC.

Let AP=1 \(\Delta\) APO is a right angled isosceles triangle, OP=AP=1.

then OB=OA=\(\sqrt{2}\), AB=\(\sqrt{4-2\sqrt{2}}\), AC=\(\sqrt{8-4\sqrt{2}}\)

taking cosine law

\(AC^{2}=AP^{2}+PC^{2}-2(AP)(PC)cos\theta\)

or, 8-4\(\sqrt{2}\)=1+1-\(2cos\theta\) or, cos\(\theta\)=-3+\(\sqrt{8}\)

or, m+n=8-3=5.

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