The Differences Between Prisms and Pyramids

PYRAMIDS PRISMS

The base is a polygon (straight-sided flat shape such as triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon)

The sides are triangles which meet at the top (the apex)

A solid object that has two identical ends and all flat sides

The two identical sides could be: triangles, rectangles, etc.

The shape of the ends gives the prism its name◦ For example, a

“triangular prism” has triangular ends

RECTANGULAR PYRAMID VS. PRISM

Overall shape: pyramid

Shape of base: rectangle Shape of bases: rectangle

Overall shape: rectangle

PYRAMID PRISM

RECTANGLERECTANGLES

TRIANGULAR PYRAMID VS. PRISM

Shape of base: triangle

Overall shape: pyramid

Shape of bases: rectangle

Overall shape: triangle

TRIANGLE

TRIANGLES

PYRAMID PRISM

PENTAGONAL PYRAMID VS. PRISM

Shape of base: pentagon

Overall shape: pyramid

Shape of bases: pentagon

Overall shape: pentagon

PENTAGONPENTAGONS

PYRAMID PRISM

HEXAGONAL PYRAMID VS. PRISM

Shape of base: hexagon Shape of bases: hexagon

Overall shape: pyramid Overall shape: hexagon

PYRAMID

HEXAGON

PRISM