A shape is described by identifying its straight sides and vertices, or corners, and counting how many of each it has; for common polygons, the number of sides matches the number of vertices (for example, triangles have 3, quadrilaterals 4, pentagons 5, and hexagons 6). This understanding applies regardless of a shape’s size, orientation, or appearance and does not include angle measurement or advanced polygon classification.
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Detailed Explanation: Describe shapes by sides and vertices
To describe a shape, count its:
- Straight sides: the line segments around the shape.
- Vertices: the corners where two sides meet.
Start at one side and count all the way around the shape. Count each side and each corner once.
Example: Imagine a shape with 5 straight sides.
- Start at the top corner.
- Trace around the shape, counting each straight side:
. - Count the corners where the sides meet:
.
The shape has 5 sides and 5 vertices. It is called a pentagon.
A shape’s size or direction does not change the number of sides or vertices.
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Practice:
Count Sides and Vertices on 2D Shapes
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Download/Modify Free Grade 2 'Describe shapes by sides and vertices' Worksheet
Print this free 'Describe shapes by sides and vertices' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Count Sides and Vertices on 2D Shapes
- Count Sides and Vertices on 2D Shapes - First Time
- Count Sides on 2D Shapes
- Count Sides on 2D Shapes - First Time
- Count Vertices on 2D Shapes
- Count Vertices on 2D Shapes - First Time
- 2D Shapes by Side Count
- 2D Shapes by Vertex Count
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