Ctrl+k

Identify rectangular prisms

A rectangular prism is a three-dimensional solid with six rectangular faces, twelve edges, and eight vertices; its faces meet in rectangular regions, and a cube is a special case whose faces are all squares. Identification depends on these structural attributes rather than the solid’s orientation or whether it resembles a familiar box, distinguishing it from shapes such as triangular prisms, pyramids, cylinders, and spheres; volume, surface area, and nets are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Identify rectangular prisms

A rectangular prism is a solid shape with:

  • 66 rectangular faces
  • 1212 edges
  • 88 vertices (corners)

It may be standing, lying down, or turned around. Its position does not change its shape. A cube is a special rectangular prism because all of its faces are squares.

Example: Is a box-shaped solid a rectangular prism?

  1. Look at its faces. The solid has 66 faces.
  2. Check the shape of the faces. Each face is a rectangle.
  3. Count the edges. It has 1212 edges.
  4. Count the corners. It has 88 vertices.

All the properties match, so yes, the solid is a rectangular prism.

Learn by doing: Identify rectangular prisms

Click a topic below to practice the foundational skills you'll need, learn the steps, or master this skill

Practice with unlimited practice problems

Identify Shapes 3D - Count Rectangular Prisms


    ?