3D Shapes: Faces, Edges and Vertices
3D shapes have three dimensions: length, width, and height. Every 3D shape has faces (flat or curved surfaces), edges (where faces meet), and vertices (corners).
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
A face is a flat (or curved) surface of a 3D shape
An edge is the line where two faces meet
A vertex (plural: vertices) is a corner where edges meet
Euler's rule: Faces + Vertices − Edges = 2 for all polyhedra
Key Vocabulary
Face
A flat surface of a 3D solid shape
Edge
The straight line where two faces of a 3D shape meet
Vertex
A corner point where edges meet (plural: vertices)
Polyhedron
A 3D shape with flat faces (e.g. cube, pyramid, prism)
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
How many faces does a cube have?
Question 2
A triangular prism has 5 faces and 9 edges. Using Euler's rule, how many vertices does it have?
Question 3
Which 3D shape has exactly one vertex?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●A face is a flat (or curved) surface of a 3D shape
- ●An edge is the line where two faces meet
- ●A vertex (plural: vertices) is a corner where edges meet
- ●Euler's rule: Faces + Vertices − Edges = 2 for all polyhedra