Explore the geometry of prisms and pyramids whose bases have 3 or 4 sides. [br][list=1][*]In the dropdown, select "Pyramid". Ensure that the green slider is moved all the way to "Fold,"[/*][*]Next, move the purple "Sides" slider to 3 sides. Unfold the 3-D pyramid to see what 2-D shapes make up its net. Repeat this step for a pyramid with 4 sides.[/*][*]Move the slider back to "Fold". In the dropdown, move to "Prism" and repeat step 3 for the pyramids. [/*][/list]*The base(s) are purple. The name of a pyramid or prism is based on the shaped of its base.
[i]Answer these open ended questions on your own or with others to form deeper math connections. [/i]
What 2-D shapes do you need to form the net of a pyramid that has a 3-sided base? What about a pyramid with a 4-sided base?
What 2-D shapes do you need to form the net of a pyramid that has a 3-sided base? What about a pyramid with a 4-sided base?
How do the numbers of shapes needed to form the net change as the base of the prism changes? As the base of a pyramid changes?
Using the net, how could you calculate the surface area of any of these 3-D shapes?