Shapes & Solids
Flat Shapes
Flat shapes are drawn on paper. The four we see most are the circle (round, no corners), the triangle (3 sides, 3 corners), the square (4 equal sides, 4 corners) and the rectangle (4 sides, 4 corners, with two long and two short sides).
Example 1: How many corners does a triangle have?
A triangle has 3 corners.
Example 2: Which shape is perfectly round with no corners?
A circle.
Quick recap
- Circle: round, no sides, no corners.
- Triangle: 3 sides, 3 corners.
- Square and rectangle: 4 sides, 4 corners.
✓ Quick check
How many sides does a square have?
A square has 4 equal sides.
Which shape has no corners?
A circle is round and has no corners.
Solid Shapes
Solid shapes take up space — we can hold them. A cube is like a dice, a cuboid is like a brick, a sphere is like a ball, a cone is like an ice-cream cone, and a cylinder is like a tin or a pipe.
Example 1: A ball is the shape of which solid?
A sphere.
Example 2: An ice-cream cone is which solid shape?
A cone.
Quick recap
- Cube = dice; cuboid = brick or box.
- Sphere = ball; cone = ice-cream cone; cylinder = tin/pipe.
- Solid shapes can roll, slide or stack.
✓ Quick check
A dice (used in games) is shaped like a ___ ?
A dice is a cube — all sides equal.
Which solid can roll easily?
A sphere (ball) rolls because it is round.
Sides, Corners and Shapes Around Us
The straight edges of a shape are its sides and the points where sides meet are its corners. We can spot shapes everywhere — a clock face is a circle, a window may be a rectangle, a slice of pizza looks like a triangle.
Example 1: How many corners does a rectangle have?
A rectangle has 4 corners.
Example 2: A wall clock is usually which shape?
A circle.
Quick recap
- Sides are the straight edges; corners are where they meet.
- We can name everyday objects by their shapes.
✓ Quick check
How many corners does a triangle have?
A triangle has 3 corners.
A slice of pizza looks most like a ___ ?
A pizza slice has 3 corners — a triangle.
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