MathsFreePrintable

Shape Properties Exploration

A free maths worksheet ready for your classroom. Open in Kuraplan to grab the print-ready PDF, customize it for your students, or generate a fresh version in seconds.

Download now

Name:Date:

Shape Properties Exploration

You are helping plan a mini geometry exhibition. Use shape properties to solve the challenges. For 3D shapes, count flat faces, straight edges and vertices (corners).

Exhibit 1: Build and inspect

Imagine each shape as a solid object you could hold.

1.The triangular prism in the exhibit has two triangular ends and three rectangular side faces. How many faces, edges and vertices does it have?

2.A rectangular prism is sliced parallel to one of its rectangular bases. What shape is the cross-section?

A circle
A rectangle
A triangle
A pentagon

3.A display label says, “Both triangular shapes have two triangular bases.” Is the label correct? Choose one shape as evidence and explain.

4.Which two of these models are prisms? Select both.

Triangular prism and rectangular prism
Square-based pyramid and triangular pyramid
Triangular prism and square-based pyramid
Rectangular prism and triangular pyramid

Exhibit 2: Sort the flat shapes

A shape can belong to more than one useful category.

5.Match each triangle name to its side-length rule.

Equilateral
Isosceles
Scalene

At least two sides are equal
All three sides are equal
All three sides have different lengths

6.A quadrilateral has four right angles. Its opposite sides are parallel and equal in length. What is the most specific name you can give it from this information?

Rectangle
Trapezium
Triangle
Pentagon

7.A square fits inside the rectangle category. Give two properties that every square has, but that a rectangle does not have to have.

Exhibit 3: Compare the solids

Use the models and your knowledge of faces, edges and vertices.

8.Complete the comparison: a rectangular prism has faces, edges and vertices; a square-based pyramid has faces, edges and vertices.

9.A curator says, “A prism has two matching, parallel bases, while a pyramid has one base and side faces that meet at a point.” Is this a useful way to tell them apart? Explain briefly.

10.The exhibition needs a new solid with two matching triangular bases and three rectangular side faces. Name the solid and state how many vertices it has.