Lesson 3 - Surface Area - Basic 3D Objects

Some familiar three-dimensional objects are shown and labeled below.


Right prism:
A prism whose bases (top and bottom) are directly one above the other and whose faces are rectangular and meet the bases at right angles

Right pyramid:
A pyramid with its apex (highest point) directly above the center of its base and whose faces are triangular

The names for pyramids and prisms are determined by the shape of the base.

EXAMPLE 1

What is this object called?



Solution


The object shown is a right pentagonal prism. The shape of its base is a pentagon (5 sides), and its faces are rectangles.

EXAMPLE 2

What is this object called?



Solution


The object shown is a right hexagonal pyramid. The shape of its base is a hexagon (6 sides) and its faces are triangles.


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