3. What is the definition of a pyramid?
(A) A pyramid is a polyhedron with two parallel faces that are identical copies of each other, called bases, connected by rectangles.
(B) A pyramid is a polygon with three straight sides and three vertices.
(C) A pyramid is a polyhedron that has one special face called the base, and all the other faces are triangles that meet at a single vertex.
(D) A pyramid is a polygon with 4 straight sides and four vertices.
The correct definition of a pyramid is (C) A pyramid is a polyhedron that has one special face called the base, and all the other faces are triangles that meet at a single vertex.
To determine the correct definition, you can break down the options given and analyze each statement:
(A) This statement describes a prism, not a pyramid. A prism has two identical bases connected by rectangles, while a pyramid has only one base.
(B) This statement describes a triangle, not a pyramid. A triangle is a polygon with three straight sides and three vertices, but a pyramid has more than three sides and vertices.
(C) This statement accurately describes a pyramid. A pyramid has one base, and all the other faces are triangles that intersect at a single vertex.
(D) This statement describes a quadrilateral, not a pyramid. A quadrilateral is a polygon with four straight sides and four vertices, but a pyramid has more than four sides and vertices.
By comparing each statement, it is clear that option (C) provides the accurate definition of a pyramid.