Shape and Space

3D Shapes - Terminology

A 3D shape is a geometric figure that has three dimensions, width, depth and height. 3D shapes differ from 2D shapes because they have thickness.

They are often thought of a solids, but can also be hollow, like an empty box.

We classify 3D shapes by the number and size of their faces, the number of their vertices, and by the number and size of their edges.

Faces - these are the flat parts of the 3D shape.

Edges - these are the sides of the faces, where two faces meet.

Vertices - These are the corners or points of the shape.

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3D shapes can be divided into two main types:

Polyhedra - are shapes that have flat faces. Cuboids, Prisms and Pyramids.

Non-Polyhedra - If any of the faces are not flat. Spheres, Cylinders and Cones.

The word 'Polyhedron' comes from the Greek - 'poly' meaning 'many' and 'hedra' meaning 'faces' - many faces. (Polyhedra is the plural of Polyhedron)

Cube

6 Faces - all squares

12 Edges

8 Vertices

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Cuboid

6 Faces - all angles are 90° and rectangles

12 Edges

8 Vertices

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Cone

1 flat Face (the base) which is a circle.
1 curved Face.

1 Vertex (often called the apex)

1 Edge

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Cylinder

2 flat Faces (top and bottom) both are circles

1 curved Face

2 Edges

No Vertices

 Data

Sphere

1 curved Face

no Vertices

no Edges

 Data

Triangular Prism

6 Vertices

5 Faces - 2 triangles and 3 rectangles

9 Edges

 

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Regular Tetrahedron

4 Faces - all are triangles

4 Vertices

6 Edges

(also known as a Triangle-Based Pyramid)

 Data

Square-Based Pyramid

5 Faces - the base is a square, the sides are triangles

5 Vertices

8 Edges

 Data

Try these 3D Shapes worksheets from
Primary Resources.

3D Shape Properties       3D Shapes

3D Shape Puzzles         2D and 3D properties




















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