Solid Shapes

Cube and CuboidSphere and CylinderCone and Real-Life Object Recognition

Cube and Cuboid

What are Solid Shapes?

Solid shapes are three-dimensional (3D) shapes. They have length, width, and height. Unlike flat shapes (2D), you can hold them in your hand.

What is a Cube?

A cube is a solid shape with 6 square faces that are all the same size. All edges of a cube are equal in length.

Properties of a Cube:

  • 6 faces (all squares)
  • 12 edges (all same length)
  • 8 corners (called vertices)
  • Looks like a dice or a sugar cube

What is a Cuboid?

A cuboid is a solid shape with 6 rectangular faces. Opposite faces are identical.

Properties of a Cuboid:

  • 6 faces (rectangles)
  • 12 edges (not all equal - length, width, height)
  • 8 corners (vertices)
  • Looks like a shoebox or a brick

Comparing Cube and Cuboid:

FeatureCubeCuboid
Faces6 squares6 rectangles
EdgesAll equalDifferent lengths
ExamplesDice, Rubik's cubeBrick, book, shoebox
Figure — Cube and Cuboid
Solid (3D) Shapes Cube Sphere Cylinder Cone 3D shapes have length, width, and height!
1
Worked Example

How many faces does a cube have?

Solution
  • A cube has 6 faces (all squares)

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Answer: 6 faces **Example 2:** Is a dice a cube or a cuboid? *Solution:* - A dice has all square faces of the same size - All edges are equal - **Answer:** Cube **Example 3:** Name two real-life objects that are cuboids. *Solution:* - A brick has 6 rectangular faces - A shoebox also has 6 rectangular faces - **Answer:** Brick and shoebox

Key Points

  • Cube: 6 square faces, all edges equal
  • Cuboid: 6 rectangular faces, edges can be different
  • Both have 12 edges and 8 vertices (corners)
  • Dice, sugar cubes → cubes
  • Bricks, books, shoeboxes → cuboids

Sphere and Cylinder

What is a Sphere?

A sphere is a perfectly round solid shape. Every point on its surface is the same distance from the center. It has no flat faces, no edges, and no corners.

Properties of a Sphere:

  • 0 faces (no flat surfaces)
  • 0 edges
  • 0 vertices (corners)
  • Perfectly round like a ball

What is a Cylinder?

A cylinder is a solid shape with two flat circular faces (top and bottom) and one curved surface that wraps around.

Properties of a Cylinder:

  • 2 flat circular faces (top and bottom)
  • 1 curved surface
  • 2 edges (where the curved surface meets the circles)
  • 0 vertices
  • Looks like a can or a pipe

Comparing Sphere and Cylinder:

FeatureSphereCylinder
Flat faces02 circles
Curved surface1 (entire shape)1 (wraps around)
Edges02
Corners00
ExamplesBall, globeCan, candle, pipe
Figure — Sphere and Cylinder
Solid (3D) Shapes Cube Sphere Cylinder Cone 3D shapes have length, width, and height!
1
Worked Example

How many flat faces does a sphere have?

Solution
  • A sphere is completely round
  • It has no flat faces at all

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Answer: 0 **Example 2:** Name the shape of a soup can. *Solution:* - Soup can has two circular faces (top and bottom) - It has a curved surface around the side - This is a cylinder - **Answer:** Cylinder **Example 3:** How many vertices (corners) does a cylinder have? *Solution:* - A cylinder has no corners - It has 2 edges (where curved surface meets circles) - But no vertices - **Answer:** 0

Key Points

  • Sphere: perfectly round, no faces, no edges, no corners
  • Cylinder: 2 circular faces, 1 curved surface, 2 edges, 0 corners
  • Balls, oranges, globes → spheres
  • Cans, candles, pipes → cylinders

Cone and Real-Life Object Recognition

What is a Cone?

A cone is a solid shape with one flat circular face (the base) and one curved surface that comes to a point at the top (called the vertex or apex).

Properties of a Cone:

  • 1 flat circular face (base)
  • 1 curved surface (sloping sides)
  • 1 vertex (point at the top)
  • 1 edge (where the curved surface meets the base)

Comparing All Solid Shapes:

ShapeFlat FacesCurved SurfaceEdgesVertices
Cube6 squares0128
Cuboid6 rectangles0128
Sphere01 (whole shape)00
Cylinder2 circles120
Cone1 circle111

Real-Life Objects for Each Shape:

ShapeReal-Life Examples
CubeDice, Rubik's cube, ice cube
CuboidBrick, book, shoebox, phone
SphereBall, orange, globe, marble
CylinderCan, candle, pipe, battery
ConeParty hat, ice cream cone, traffic cone
Figure — Cone and Real-Life Object Recognition
Solid (3D) Shapes Cube Sphere Cylinder Cone 3D shapes have length, width, and height!
1
Worked Example

What shape is an ice cream cone?

Solution
  • Ice cream cone has a circular base
  • It comes to a point at the bottom
  • It has 1 flat face and 1 vertex

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Answer: Cone **Example 2:** How many vertices does a cone have? *Solution:* - A cone has one point at the top - This point is called the vertex - **Answer:** 1 vertex **Example 3:** Name a real-life object that is shaped like a cylinder. *Solution:* - A soda can has two circular faces - It has a curved surface around the side - **Answer:** Soda can (or candle, battery, etc.)

Key Points

  • Cone: 1 circular face, 1 curved surface, 1 vertex, 1 edge
  • Ice cream cones, party hats, traffic cones → cones
  • Spheres: no faces, no edges, no corners
  • Cylinders: 2 circular faces, 0 vertices
  • Cubes and cuboids have flat faces only (no curved surfaces)