Three Dimensional Shapes – Definition With Examples

What Are Three-Dimensional Shapes?

In geometry, a three-dimensional shape can be defined as a solid figure or an object or shape that has three dimensions—length, width, and height. Unlike two-dimensional shapes, three-dimensional shapes have height, which is the same as thickness or depth. Three dimensional is also written as 3-D and hence, these figures are commonly called 3–D shapes too. All 3-D shapes occupy space, which is measured in terms of volume.

Examples of Three-Dimensional Shapes

A cube, rectangular prism, sphere, cone, and cylinder are the basic 3-dimensional shapes we see around us. 

Real-life Examples of Three-Dimensional Shapes

3-D shapes can be seen all around us. We can see a cube in a Rubik’s Cube and a die, a rectangular prism in a book and a box, a sphere in a globe and a ball, a cone in a carrot and an ice cream cone, and a cylinder in a bucket and a barrel around us. 

Attributes of Three-Dimensional Shapes

There are three attributes of a three-dimensional figure: face, edge, and vertex. Let’s understand three dimensional shapes and their properties in detail.

Face: Each single surface, flat or curved, of the 3-D figure is called its face.

Edge: The line, where two faces of the 3-D figures meet, is called its edge.

Vertex: Each corner, where three faces of 3-D figures meet, is called its vertex. Vertices are the plural of the vertex.

List of Three-Dimensional Shapes

Here’s a list of the names of three-dimensional shapes with their pictures, and attributes.

Formula of Three-Dimensional Shapes

Net of Three-Dimensional Shapes

A net is a pattern made when the surface of a 3-D figure is laid out flat, showing each face of the figure.

3-D figures can have more than one net pattern. Net of a few 3-D figures is shown below:

Fun Facts:
All three-dimensional shapes are made up of two-dimensional shapes.

Difference between 2-D Shapes and 3-D Shapes

Let’s differentiate between 2-D and 3-D shapes by understanding two dimensional and three dimensional shapes and their properties.

Solved Examples

Example 1: Which of the following is a 3-D shape?

Cone Square Sphere Cuboid Cylinder Parallelogram

Solution:

Cone Sphere Cuboid Cylinder

Example 2: State whether the following are true or false.

1. A three-dimensional shape has 3 dimensions.
2. Three-dimensional shapes are also called flat shapes.
3. Three-dimensional shapes occupy space.
4. All three-dimensional shapes have flat faces.

Solution:

1. True
2. False. Three-dimensional shapes are also called solid shapes.
3. True
4. False. Sphere is a three-dimensional shape with no flat face.

Example 3: Complete the table with attributes of the 3-D shapes listed.

Solution:

Example 4: Match the object with its shape.

Solution:

1. – (iii)
2. – (i)
3. – (iv)
4. – (ii)