What are prisms?

A prism is a type of three-dimensional (3D) shape with flat sides. It has two ends that are the same shape and size (and look like a 2D shape). It has the same cross-section all along the shape from end to end; that means if you cut through it you would see the same 2D shape as on either end.

Example of some prisms:

Cube
Cuboid
Triangular prism
Pentagonal prism
Hexagonal prism
Octagonal prism

 
Apart from a cube and a cuboid, if you know the name of the polygon / 2D shape on the end of the prism it is easy to work out the name of the prism! (Triangle / triangular prism; Pentagon / Pentagonal prism, etc.).  A cylinder has two ends with the same shape (a circle) but because it has curved sides it is not a prism.

What is a pyramid?

A pyramid is also a three-dimensional (3D) shape. It has a polygon base and flat (triangular) sides that join at a common point (called the apex).

We often think of the famous pyramids in Egypt when the word ‘pyramid’ is mentioned. The Egyptian pyramids are square-based pyramids, but there are several other types of pyramids, each with a different polygon as its base.
 

Square-based pyramid
Triangular-based pyramid
Pentagonal-based pyramid
Hexagonal-based pyramid
Octagonal-based pyramid

DO YOU REMEMBER THE PREVIOUS LESSON?

You were taught to name, identify and describe their properties for example the number of faces, edges and vertices.