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Identifying 3D shapes from 2D shapes

Identifying 3D shapes from 2D shapes

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Tutor: Holly

Summary

Identifying 3D shapes from 2D shapes

​​In a nutshell

3D shapes are made up of vertices (corners), faces and edges. 3D shapes can be regular or irregular.


Regular 3D shapes

For regular 3D shapes, each face is the same shape, which is a regular polygon. Regular 3D shapes look the same from different sides. Below is a table of examples of regular 3D shapes:


​​SHape Name

Properties

Diagram

Cube

Each face is a square.


Regular tetrahedron

Each face is an equilateral triangle.

Maths; Geometry - properties of shapes; KS2 Year 5; Identifying 3D shapes from 2D shapes



Irregular 3D shapes

For irregular 3D shapes, different faces can be different shapes. Irregular 3D shapes may look different from different sides. Below is a table of examples of irregular 3D shapes:


​​Shape Name

Properties

Diagram

Cuboid

Each face is a quadrilateral.


Cone

Has a circular base, and then comes to a point at the top.

Maths; Geometry - properties of shapes; KS2 Year 5; Identifying 3D shapes from 2D shapes

Square-based pyramid

Has a square base and triangular sides meeting at a point.

Maths; Geometry - properties of shapes; KS2 Year 5; Identifying 3D shapes from 2D shapes

Triangular prism

Has triangular faces at the ends and rectangular sides.



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Learn with Basics

Length:
2D shapes: Types and properties

2D shapes: Types and properties

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Identifying 3D shapes from 2D shapes

Identifying 3D shapes from 2D shapes

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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 3D shape?

What are the properties of an irregular 3D shape?

What are the properties of a regular 3D shape?