Nets for 3-Dimensional Shapes
Related Pages
Geometry - Nets Of Solids
3D Nets Animations
More Geometry Lessons
In this lesson, we will learn how to draw and recognize nets for 3-dimensional shapes, especially for students of Grades 5 to 8.
We will learn how to represent three-dimensional figures using nets made up of rectangles and triangles, and use the nets to find the surface area of these figures. We will learn how to apply these techniques in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems.
Nets of 3D Solids
A net of a 3D shape is a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that can be folded up to form a three-dimensional (3D) solid figure. Think of it as “unfolding” a 3D shape flat onto a piece of paper.
Let’s learn how to represent three-dimensional figures with nets, by analyzing their faces and bases.
Characteristics of a Valid Net:
- When folded, all the faces of the 3D shape must be present.
- The faces must meet along their edges perfectly, with no gaps or overlaps.
- A single 3D shape can have multiple different nets.
Nets can be useful for:
- Visualizing 3D Shapes: They help us understand the faces, edges, and vertices of a 3D shape and how they connect.
- Calculating Surface Area: Since a net shows all the faces laid flat, it makes it easier to calculate the total surface area of a 3D object by finding the area of each 2D face and adding them together.
Nets of 3-D shapes: Prisms, Pyramids, Cylinders and Cones
The following diagrams show the nets of some 3d shapes: Prism, Pyramid, Cylinder and Cone. Scroll down the page for more examples and explanations on the net of 3d shapes.
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Surface Area Worksheets
Printable
Nets of Solid Figures
Find Surface Area using Nets
Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms
Surface Area of Right Prisms
Surface Area of Solids (include composite solids)Online
Surface Area of Cylinder
Surface Area of Sphere
Surface Area of Solids I
Surface Area of Solids II
Surface Area of Solids III
Surface Area of Solids IV
Surface Area of Solids V
Surface Area of Cylinders & Pipes
Surface Area of Cylinders & Spheres
Nets for 3-Dimensional Figures
Learn to use nets to make 3-dimensional figures.
A net is the pattern made when the surface of a three-dimensional figure is laid out flat showing each face of the figure. A net is folded to make a three-dimensional figure.
3D Figures part 1 - Nothing but nets
Drawing two dimensional nets of three dimensional figures.
How to calculate surface area using nets?
Using nets and the formula for area to calculate the surface area of three dimensional figures.
Net of rectangular prism and cube (animated)
This video demonstrates the creation of a net for a cube. The folding and unfolding will be shown visually.
How to recognize the two-dimensional nets that fold into solids?
Net of rectangular pyramid and triangular prism This video demonstrates the creation of a net for a rectangular pyramid and a triangular prism from the 3-d shapes.
What a Net Is (In Solid Geometry) A net of a solid is a 2-dimensional figure which can be folded into that solid.
This video will show nets of cube, cylinder and cone.
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