Understanding Shape Properties
Every 3D shape is made up of different parts that we can count and
compare!
Faces are the flat surfaces, edges are where two faces meet, and vertices are the corner points where
edges come together. Let's learn how to identify and count these important features!
How to Count Shape Features
1️⃣ Faces: Count each flat surface of the shape
2️⃣ Edges: Count where two faces meet (like the edges of a box)
3️⃣ Vertices: Count all the corner points (plural of vertex)
Let's Explore Shapes!
Example 1: Shape Explorer
Click on each shape to reveal its properties:
Cube
Faces: 6
Edges: 12
Vertices: 8
Square Pyramid
Faces: 5
Edges: 8
Vertices: 5
Cylinder
Faces: 3
Edges: 2
Vertices: 0
Sphere
Faces: 1
Edges: 0
Vertices: 0
Example 2: Shape Comparison Challenge
Count the features of these two shapes and see which has more:
6
Faces
5
Faces
Parent Tips 🌟
- Real-world exploration: Have your child count faces, edges, and vertices on household objects like cereal boxes, pyramids (like a roof), or balls.
- Hands-on learning: Use clay and toothpicks to build shapes (toothpicks as edges, clay balls as vertices) to physically count the components.
- Memory trick: Teach the Euler's formula (Faces + Vertices - Edges = 2) for most common 3D shapes as a fun fact check.