Faces, edges and vertices of prisms and pyramids
Name: _____________________ Date: __________
Show your thinking with numbers, words, or a drawing.
1. This is a rectangular prism. How many edges does it have?
2. This is a square pyramid. How many edges does it have?
3. This is a rectangular prism. How many vertices does it have?
4. This is a triangular pyramid. How many vertices does it have?
5. This is a triangular prism. How many vertices does it have?
Answer key · Faces, edges and vertices of prisms and pyramids
1. 12
Start from the base: it has 4 sides.
A prism has two 4-sided ends joined by 4 rectangles: 4 + 2 = 6 faces, 4 × 3 = 12 edges and 4 × 2 = 8 vertices.
The rectangular prism has 12 edges.
2. 8
Start from the base: it has 4 sides.
A pyramid has one 4-sided base and 4 triangles meeting at the top: 4 + 1 = 5 faces, 4 × 2 = 8 edges and 4 + 1 = 5 vertices.
The square pyramid has 8 edges.
3. 8
Start from the base: it has 4 sides.
A prism has two 4-sided ends joined by 4 rectangles: 4 + 2 = 6 faces, 4 × 3 = 12 edges and 4 × 2 = 8 vertices.
The rectangular prism has 8 vertices.
4. 4
Start from the base: it has 3 sides.
A pyramid has one 3-sided base and 3 triangles meeting at the top: 3 + 1 = 4 faces, 3 × 2 = 6 edges and 3 + 1 = 4 vertices.
The triangular pyramid has 4 vertices.
5. 6
Start from the base: it has 3 sides.
A prism has two 3-sided ends joined by 3 rectangles: 3 + 2 = 5 faces, 3 × 3 = 9 edges and 3 × 2 = 6 vertices.
The triangular prism has 6 vertices.
Try it together
Choose a question from the printable. Use objects or a drawing to show your thinking, then explain your method to someone at home.