Pyramid vs. Tetrahedron — What's the Difference?

Used symbolically in architecture and art.

A polyhedron with four triangular faces.

A subject of geometric study.

Exhibits equal edge lengths in its regular form.

Found in various cultures worldwide.

The simplest form of a pyramid.

A structure with a polygonal base and triangular sides that converge to a point.

Used in molecular and crystal studies.

Varies in shape based on the base.

Has a specific volume formula based on edge length.

A pyramid (from Greek: πυραμίς pyramís) is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge to a single step at the top, making the shape roughly a pyramid in the geometric sense. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilateral, or of any polygon shape.

In geometry, a tetrahedron (plural: tetrahedra or tetrahedrons), also known as a triangular pyramid, is a polyhedron composed of four triangular faces, six straight edges, and four vertex corners. The tetrahedron is the simplest of all the ordinary convex polyhedra and the only one that has fewer than 5 faces.The tetrahedron is the three-dimensional case of the more general concept of a Euclidean simplex, and may thus also be called a 3-simplex.

A monumental structure with a square or triangular base and sloping sides that meet in a point at the top, especially one built of stone as a royal tomb in ancient Egypt.

A polyhedron with four faces.

An object, shape, or arrangement in the form of a pyramid

A polyhedron with four faces; the regular tetrahedron, the faces of which are equal equilateral triangles, is one of the Platonic solids.

A system of financial growth achieved by a small initial investment, with subsequent investments being funded by using unrealized profits as collateral

A solid figure inclosed or bounded by four triangles.

Stack or arrange in the shape of a pyramid.

Any polyhedron having four plane faces

Achieve a substantial return on (money or property) after making a small initial investment

A solid figure with a polygonal base and triangular faces that meet at a common point.

Something shaped like this polyhedron.

A massive monument of ancient Egypt having a rectangular base and four triangular faces culminating in a single apex, built over or around a crypt or tomb.

Any of various similar constructions, especially a four-sided Mesoamerican temple having stepped sides and a flat top surmounted by chambers.

The transactions involved in pyramiding stock.

(Anatomy) A structure or part suggestive of a pyramid in shape.

To place or build in the shape of a pyramid.

To build (an argument or thesis, for example) progressively from a basic general premise.

To speculate in (stock) by making a series of buying and selling transactions in which paper profits are used as margin for buying more stock.

To assume the shape of a pyramid.

To increase rapidly and on a widening base.

To pyramid stocks.

An ancient massive construction with a square or rectangular base and four triangular sides meeting in an apex, such as those built as tombs in Egypt or as bases for temples in Mesoamerica.

A construction in the shape of a pyramid, usually with a square or rectangular base.

(geometry) A solid with triangular lateral faces and a polygonal (often square or rectangular) base.

(neuroanatomy) A medullary pyramid, the medial-most bumps on the ventral side of the medulla oblongata

The game of pool in which the balls are placed in the form of a triangle at spot.

A pyramid scheme.

Alternative case form of Pyramid}}. {{gloss

(card games) The triangular layout of cards in the game of Pyramid.

(journalism) An approximately triangular headline consisting of several centered lines of text of increasing length.

To build up or be arranged in the form of a pyramid.

To combine (a series of genes) into a single genotype.

(intransitive) To employ, or take part in, a pyramid scheme.

(finance) To engage in pyramid trading.

A solid body standing on a triangular, square, or polygonal base, and terminating in a point at the top; especially, a structure or edifice of this shape.

A solid figure contained by a plane rectilineal figure as base and several triangles which have a common vertex and whose bases are sides of the base.

The game of pool in which the balls are placed in the form of a triangle at spot.

A fraudulent investment scheme in which the manager promises high profits, but instead of investing the money in a genuine profit-making activity, uses the money from later investors to pay the profits to earlier investors; - also called pyramid scheme or pyramid operation. This process inevitably collapses when insufficient new investors are available, leaving the later investors with total or near-total losses of their investments. The managers usually blame government regulations or interference for the collapse of the scheme, rather than admit fraud.

To enlarge one's holding or interest in a series of operations on a continued rise or decline by using the profits to buy or sell additional amounts on a margin, as where one buys on a 10% margin 100 shares of stock quoted at 100, holds it till it rises to 105, and then uses the paper profit to buy 50 shares more, etc. The series of operations constitutes a pyramid. A similar process of reinvesting gains or winnings (as of a gamble), but not involving operation on margin, is called a parlay.

A polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex

(stock market) a series of transactions in which the speculator increases his holdings by using the rising market value of those holdings as margin for further purchases

A massive memorial with a square base and four triangular sides; built as royal tombs in ancient Egypt

Enlarge one's holdings on an exchange on a continued rise by using paper profits as margin to buy additional amounts

Use or deal in (as of stock or commercial transaction) in a pyramid deal

Arrange or build up as if on the base of a pyramid

Increase rapidly and progressively step by step on a broad base

A pyramid is a polyhedron with a polygonal base and triangular faces that converge at a point.

Pyramids can have any polygon as their base, whereas tetrahedrons have only a triangular base.

No, only pyramids with triangular bases can be considered tetrahedrons.

No, but a regular tetrahedron has equilateral triangles as its faces.

Yes, pyramids converge to a point, while prisms have two parallel, congruent bases.

A tetrahedron is a type of pyramid with four triangular faces.

Both are studied in geometry for their properties, including volume and surface area calculations.

The tetrahedron helps in understanding molecular structures and spatial relationships in crystals.

The volume of a pyramid is one-third the product of the base area and the height.

It's one of the ancient world's wonders, showcasing the architectural prowess of ancient Egyptians.

A tetrahedron has four faces.

Pyramids are iconic in architecture, symbolizing stability and used in monumental structures.

Pyramids' symmetry varies with their base, while a regular tetrahedron has high symmetry with equal faces and angles.

Beyond mathematical interest, tetrahedrons are used in molecular modeling and structural engineering.

Technically, a structure with a circular base and a pointed top is called a cone, not a pyramid.