Skip to main content

What are prisms and pyramids?

What are prisms and pyramids?
Prisms and pyramids explained for parents, including practical ways children work with 3D shapes in the classroom and learn about their properties.

What is a prism?

A prism is a type of three-dimensional (3D) shape with flat sides. It has two ends that are the same shape and size (and look like a 2D shape). It has the same cross-section all along the shape from end to end; that means if you cut through it you would see the same 2D shape as on either end.

Prisms taught in primary school

Cube
Cuboid
Triangular prism 
Pentagonal prism
Hexagonal prism
Octagonal prism

Apart from a cube and a cuboid, if you know the name of the polygon / 2D shape on the end of the prism it is easy to work out the name of the prism! (Triangle / triangular prism; Pentagon / Pentagonal prism, etc.)

NB: A cylinder has two ends with the same shape (a circle) but because it has curved sides it is not a prism.

What is a pyramid?

A pyramid is also a three-dimensional (3D) shape. It has a polygon base and flat (triangular) sides that join at a common point (called the apex).

We often think of the famous pyramids in Egypt when the word ‘pyramid’ is mentioned. The Egyptian pyramids are square-based pyramids, but there are several other types of pyramids, each with a different polygon as its base.
 

Square-based pyramid
Triangular-based pyramid
Pentagonal-based pyramid
Hexagonal-based pyramid
Octagonal-based pyramid

Prisms and pyramids in primary school

Year 2 children will be taught to name and identify prisms and pyramids in their learning of 3D shapes. They will learn to describe their properties for example the number of faces, edges and vertices. Children will be given colourful plastic models of 3D shapes to help them practise counting the number of faces, edges and vertices. They may be asked to complete tables to record their results.

3D shapePrism or pyramid?FacesEdgesVertices
CubePrism6128
Triangular prismPrism596
Square-based pyramidPyramid585
Triangular-based pyramidPyramid464

 

Year 3 children will be taught to use modelling materials to make prisms and pyramids as well as nets for prisms and pyramids. Children could be given cardboard prisms and pyramids that they can unfold to see what a net looks like and might be asked what 2D shapes are needed to build the 3D prism or pyramid.

Year 5 children will be taught to identify prisms and pyramids from 2D representations (pictures of the shapes).

Give your child a headstart

Give your child a headstart

  • FREE articles & expert information
  • FREE resources & activities
  • FREE homework help
By proceeding you agree to our terms and conditions. For information on how we use your data, see our privacy policy. You will receive emails from us but can opt out at any time.