A prism is a polyhedron with a base that is a polygon and a parallel opposite face that is identical.

A cross section is a 2D face made from cutting straight through any plane of a 3D object.

Properties of prisms

Maths

In this unit, pupils have derived the formula for the circumference and area of a circle. In the future unit, this knowledge is combined with knowledge of fractions to find the arc length and area of a sector.

 In the prior unit, pupils learnt how to derive and use the formula for the area of a triangle and trapezium. In this unit, this knowledge is called upon to find the volume of different prisms and area of composite shapes.

Perimeter, area and volume

The base face and cross-section must be parallel to each other.

The base face and cross-section must be perpendicular to each other.

The base face and cross-section must be congruent to each other.

The base face and cross-section must be equidistant to each other.

The base face and cross-section must both be parallelograms.

This 3D shape is a prism. The base face and cross-section shown were used to help identify this shape as a prism. Which of these statements must be true?

Which of these names are appropriate for this prism?

Which of these words can used as part of the name of this prism?

Alex is correct because parallel cross-sections to this face are all rectangles.

Alex is incorrect because this is not the face that is the cross-sectional base.

This prism is a right angled triangular prism.

This prism is definitely a right prism because there is a right angle.

Alex says: "This prism is a rectangular prism, because this face is a rectangle". Which of these statements is correct?

Match each property of an octagonal prism to its value.

Which of these polygons has exactly six sides?

Match each polygon to the number of sides it has.

This is a triangular-based pyramid. This 3D shape has 4 vertices and 6 edges. It has {{}} faces.

This is a triangular prism. Match the property of this object to its value.

The front face of this cuboid is parallel to which other face?

The front and right faces of this cuboid have equal area. Which faces of this cuboid are congruent to the front face?

Starter Quiz