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Recognize straight and curved sides

A shape’s boundary may consist of straight sides, curved sides, or a combination of both; straight sides are line segments, while curved sides bend continuously rather than forming a segment. This understanding supports describing and classifying familiar two-dimensional shapes, including distinguishing shapes by their boundary features rather than by orientation, size, or color; more formal properties of curves are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Recognize straight and curved sides

Look at the boundary, or outside edge, of the shape. Move your finger around the edge and notice whether each part is straight or bends.

Example: A shape has a bottom side, two upright sides, and a rounded top.

  1. Trace the bottom edge. It does not bend, so it is a straight side.
  2. Trace the left edge. It does not bend, so it is another straight side.
  3. Trace the right edge. It does not bend, so it is another straight side.
  4. Trace the rounded top. It bends continuously, so it is a curved side.

So, the shape has:

  • 3 straight sides
  • 1 curved side

Remember: Count the parts of the outside boundary. A shape can have only straight sides, only curved sides, or both.

Learn by doing: Recognize straight and curved sides

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2D Shape Match - With Rotation, Different Color


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