2D and 3D Shapes

What are Shapes? Everything we see is made of shapes! In math, we divide shapes into two main groups: 2D (flat) and 3D (solid).

2D Shapes (Flat Shapes) 2D stands for 2-Dimensional. These shapes are flat, like a drawing on a piece of paper. You can measure their length and width, but they have no thickness.

Common 2D Shapes

• Circle: Perfectly round with no corners or straight sides.
• Triangle: Has 3 sides and 3 corners (vertices).
• Square: Has 4 equal sides and 4 corners.
• Rectangle: Has 4 sides and 4 corners. Two sides are long, and two sides are short.

3D Shapes (Solid Shapes) 3D stands for 3-Dimensional. These shapes are "fat," not flat! They take up space. You can pick them up, hold them, and see them from different sides.

Common 3D Shapes

• Sphere: Shaped like a ball. It is perfectly round and can roll.
• Cube: Shaped like a box or a die. It has 6 flat square faces.
• Cone: Shaped like a party hat. It has a circle on the bottom and a pointy top.
• Cylinder: Shaped like a soda can. It has two flat circles on the ends and a curved middle.

Finding Shapes in the Real World Shapes are hiding everywhere! Look around your room:

• Rectangle: A door or a book.
• Circle: A clock or a button.
• Sphere: A basketball or an orange.
• Cylinder: A glue stick or a cup.

Why Do We Learn This?

• Building: Engineers and architects use 3D shapes to build houses and bridges.
• Art: Artists use 2D shapes to sketch characters before adding detail.
• Sorting: It helps your brain organize information and describe the world accurately.

Lesson Summary

• 2D shapes are flat (Square, Circle, Triangle).
• 3D shapes are solid (Cube, Sphere, Cone).
• 3D shapes have faces (flat sides) and edges (where two faces meet).