Prisms and Pyramids

Please view this tutorial and answer the follow-up questions on loose leaf to

turn in to your teacher.

Prisms/Pyramids BasicsPrisms and pyramids are both three dimensional shapes.

Prisms have two congruent and parallel bases, connected with rectangular faces.

Pyramids have one base and come to a point (pinnacle). They are connected with triangular faces.

Prisms and pyramids are both named by the shape of their base(s).

PrismsThe highlighted shape in each prism is the base.

As you can see each prism has two bases.

The bases are connected with rectangular faces.

PrismsTo name a prism, you must determine what shape the base is.

What shape is the base of this prism?

It is a square, so you would call this a square prism.

PrismsWhat are the names of the other two prisms?

This is a hexagonal prism (6-sided base).

This is a pentagonal prism (5-sided base).

How to draw a prism

31) Draw the shape of whatever base your prism is. In this case, we’ll have to draw a triangle.

Let’s draw a triangular prism.

How to draw a prism

32) Draw a second base that is the same size. (It’s easier if you draw it offset from the first base.)

Let’s draw a triangular prism.

How to draw a prism

33) Connect the corresponding vertices (points) of each base with a line.

Let’s draw a triangular prism.

How to draw a prism

34) Dot the edges that you would not see from your viewpoint.

Let’s draw a triangular prism.

Pyramids

Different from prisms, pyramids have only one base.

Instead of having a second base, they come to a point (called a pinnacle).

Pyramids

Each base connects to the pinnacle by triangular faces.

Pyramids

Pyramids are also named by the shape of their base. Try to name the four pyramids.

Pyramids

Square Pyramid

Hexagonal Pyramid

HeptagonalPyramid(7 sides)

DecagonalPyramid

(10 sides)

How to draw a pyramid

31) You draw the shape of whatever base your prism is. In this case we’ll have to draw an octagon (8 sides).

Let’s draw an octagonal pyramid.

How to draw a pyramid

32) Draw a point for the pinnacle above the base.

Let’s draw an octagonal pyramid.

How to draw a pyramid

33) Connect each vertex of the base to the pinnacle with a line.

Let’s draw an octagonal pyramid.

How to draw a pyramid

34) Dot the edges that you would not see due to your viewpoint.

Let’s draw an octagonal pyramid.

Cylinders and ConesA circular prism is called a cylinder.

A circular pyramid is called a cone.

Planes of SymmetryA plane of symmetry is a two-dimensional flat surface that will divide a three-dimensional shape into mirror images (symmetrical pieces).

The plane to the right cuts the cylinder into two smaller symmetrical cylinders.

Planes of Symmetry

How many planes of symmetry does this prism have?

There are three planes of

symmetry.

Faces, Edges, and Vertices

• Faces: the plane shapes that make up a prism (including the bases)

• Edges: the line segments that connect to form plane shapes

• Vertices: the points where two or more line segments connect in a space shape

• Click the following link to get some practice with faces, edges, and vertices.

Follow-Up Questions

Answer the following questions on loose leafand hand them in to your teacher.

Follow-Up QuestionsName the following space shapes.

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9

Follow-Up Questions10) Draw a pentagonal pyramid.

10) Draw a hexagonal prism.

11)How many planes of symmetry does this cube have?

10)How many faces, edges and vertices does this cube have?