# Tetrahedron volume

• Feb 10th 2010, 12:34 PM
zhupolongjoe
Tetrahedron volume
Consider the tetrahedron with vertices
(0,0,0)
(0,1,2)
(0,2,0)
(3,0,0)

Find its volume using integration. (No double or triple integrals though)
• Feb 10th 2010, 12:38 PM
icemanfan
Find a formula in terms of z for the area of a cross-section of the tetrahedron by a plane parallel to the xy-plane, and then integrate:

$\int _0 ^2 A(z) dz$,

where $A(z)$ is the area of the cross-section.
• Feb 10th 2010, 01:35 PM
zhupolongjoe
Thanks, but I'm not sure how to find A(z)
• Feb 10th 2010, 01:43 PM
icemanfan
First, observe that the dimensions of the triangle decrease linearly as you move from z = 0 to z = 2. Therefore,

The length in x is equal to $3 - 1.5z$

The length in y is equal to $2 - z$

The area of the triangular cross-section is $0.5(3 - 1.5z)(2 - z)$.
• Feb 10th 2010, 03:15 PM
zhupolongjoe
Okay, I see what you did. Sorry, but the only thing I still don't understand is how you got 3-1.5z. I understand the 2-z I think, but not this part.

EDIT::Nevermind, got it!