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Relate 3D objects to their nets informally

A net is a two-dimensional arrangement of the faces of a three-dimensional object that can be folded along its edges to form the object. Learners relate familiar solids such as cubes, cuboids, and simple prisms to nets by matching face shapes, numbers, and shared edges, while recognizing that different arrangements may represent the same solid; formal classification of all possible nets and surface-area calculations are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Relate 3D objects to their nets informally

A net is a flat pattern that can be folded to make a solid shape. The faces are the flat surfaces of the solid.

To match a net to a solid:

  1. Look at the shapes of the faces.
  2. Count the faces.
  3. Check which faces share an edge.
  4. Imagine folding the net along the lines between the faces.

Example

What solid will this net make?

    [B]
[A][C][D][E]
    [F]

Step 1: Look at the faces.
All six faces are squares.

Step 2: Count the faces.
There are 66 square faces.

Step 3: Imagine folding.

  • Fold the four squares in the row upward and around.
  • They make the four side faces.
  • Fold square BB up to make one end.
  • Fold square FF up to make the other end.

The faces meet along their shared edges and close up to form a solid.

Answer: The net makes a cube.

Different nets can have the squares arranged in different ways and still fold to make the same cube.

Learn by doing: Relate 3D objects to their nets informally

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    Nets of 3D Shapes - Net to Shape Name

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