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Identify cubes

A cube is a three-dimensional solid with six congruent square faces, twelve equal edges, and eight vertices; its faces meet to enclose a solid region. Identifying cubes includes recognizing them in different orientations and drawings and distinguishing them from squares, rectangular prisms, and other solids whose faces or edge lengths do not all match.

Detailed Explanation: Identify cubes

A cube is a solid shape that:

  • has 6 square faces,
  • has 12 equal edges, and
  • has 8 vertices (corners).

A cube may look different when it is turned, but its faces and edges still match.

Example: Which object is a cube?

  • Object A: A flat square tile
  • Object B: A box with edges that are all 33 inches long
  • Object C: A box that is 33 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 11 inch tall

Step 1: Check that the object is solid.
Object A is flat, so it is a square, not a cube.

Step 2: Look at the faces.
A cube has square faces. Objects B and C look like solid boxes with square-shaped faces.

Step 3: Check the edge lengths.
For Object B, every edge is 33 inches long.
For Object C, the edges have different lengths: 33, 22, and 11 inches.

Answer: Object B is a cube because all its faces are squares and all its edges are equal.

Learn by doing: Identify cubes

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Simple 3D Shapes (Real World) - Is Specific Type


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