What You Need to Know

We can sort shapes into groups based on their properties — like the number of sides, whether they have straight or curved sides, and their size or colour.

Key Concept Diagram

Shapes can be sorted by number of sides (3, 4, 5, 6 sides...)

Shapes can be sorted by having straight sides, curved sides, or both

A square, rectangle, and rhombus all have 4 sides (quadrilaterals)

Sorting helps us organise and compare shapes

Key Vocabulary

sort

To group things by a shared property

property

A feature of a shape, like the number of sides or type of lines

quadrilateral

Any flat shape with 4 sides

classify

To put things into groups based on what they have in common

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

A triangle has how many sides?

2 4 3 5

Question 2

Which shapes have 4 sides?

Triangle and circle Pentagon and hexagon Circle and oval Square and rectangle

Question 3

Which shape has NO straight sides?

Circle Triangle Rectangle Square

Question 4

How is a square DIFFERENT from a rectangle?

A square has more sides A square has all sides the same length A rectangle has no corners A rectangle has curved sides

Question 5

Which of these is NOT a way to sort shapes?

By number of sides By whether sides are straight or curved By their smell By their colour

Sorting and Classifying Shapes