3D Shapes
Maths: Edexcel IGCSE Higher, topic 4.8.1
3D Shapes
On a 3D shape, flat surfaces are called faces, the lines where two surfaces meet are called edges and the corners where two edges meet are called vertices. Edges can be curved or straight.
Cuboid
- A cuboid has 6 faces which are all rectangles. It has 12 edges and 8 vertices. Its edges are not necessarily all the same length.
Cube
- A cube is a special kind of cuboid whose edges are all the same length so that its 6 faces are identical and all squares.
Prism
- A prism is a 3D shape with flat faces and an identical cross-section throughout the length of the shape.
- A prism has two end faces called bases then one face for each side of the base.
Pyramid
- This is a square based pyramid.
- Square based pyramids have 5 faces, 5 vertices and 8 edges.
- Triangular based pyramids have 4 faces, 4 vertices and 6 edges.
Cylinder
- A cylinder has a flat face at each end called a base, and a curved surface along its length.
- It has two edges (one around each base) and no vertices.
Cone
- A cone has 2 surfaces, 1 edge and 1 vertex.
- The top of a cone is called the apex.
Sphere
- A sphere is a perfectly round 3D shape.
- It has one curved surface and no edges or vertices.
Test yourself on 3D Shapes
Which of these are 3D shapes?
Which of these are 3D shapes?
Which of these are 3D shapes?
What is the name of this shape?
How many vertices does a sphere have?