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Rectangular prism

Rectangular prism

Here you will learn about rectangular prisms, including how to classify and identify rectangular prisms.

Students will first learn about rectangular prisms as a part of geometry in 1 st grade.

Every week, we teach lessons on rectangular prisms to students in schools and districts across the US as part of our online one-on-one math tutoring programs. On this page we’ve broken down everything we’ve learnt about teaching this topic effectively.

What is a rectangular prism?

A rectangular prism is a three-dimensional shape with 6 rectangular faces where all the faces (one at the top, one at the bottom and four lateral faces) meet at right angles. They are also known as cuboids.

Cubes are a special type of rectangular prism where the length, width and height are all equal.

Examples of a rectangular prism:

rectangular prism examples image 1

Real life examples of rectangular prisms include shoe boxes, books and even the bricks on your house.

rectangular prism real life examples image 2

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

Use this worksheet to check your grade 1 to 3 students’ understanding of identifying rectangular prisms. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE
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[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

Use this worksheet to check your grade 1 to 3 students’ understanding of identifying rectangular prisms. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

Properties of a rectangular prism

The properties of a rectangular prism include faces, edges, vertices (corners), length, width and height.

Faces

A face of a 3D shape is a flat surface.

Rectangular prisms have a total of \bf{6} faces – all of which are rectangular (or square). As a result of having rectangular bases, the other faces are also rectangles.

rectangular prism faces image 3

Edges

An edge of a 3D shape is a straight line between two faces.

Rectangular prisms have \bf{12} edges:

rectangular prism edges image 4

Vertices

A vertex is a point where two or more edges meet.

Rectangular prisms have \bf{8} vertices:

rectangular prism vertices image 5

Length, width and height

A rectangular prism has three dimensions: length, width, and height.

rectangular prism dimensions image 6

The length refers to the measurement from one end of the rectangular prism to the other, the width is the measurement from side to side, and the height of the rectangular prism is the measurement from top to bottom.

Labeling a rectangular prism

You can label the vertices (corners) of a rectangular prism to help us identify certain edges or faces.

For example,

rectangular prism with labelled vertices image 7

Using this labeling you can identify lengths, for example, the length AB :

rectangular prism with labelled vertices image 8

You can also identify faces, for example, the face ABCD :

rectangular prism with labelled vertices image 9

What is a rectangular prism?

What is a rectangular prism?

Common Core State Standards

How does this relate to 1 st grade math?

  • Grade 1: Geometry (1.G.A.2)
    Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape.

How to identify a rectangular prism

In order to identify a rectangular prism, you will:

  1. Look for the characteristics of a rectangular prism.
  2. State whether or not the shape is a rectangular prism.
  3. If the shape is not a rectangular prism, explain what characteristics are different.

Rectangular prism examples

Example 1: rectangular prism example

Look at the image below and determine if it is a rectangular prism or not.

Distinguishing between a rectangular prism and other shapes image 10

  1. Look for the characteristics of a rectangular prism.

The shape has 4 triangular and 1 rectangular face, not 6 rectangular faces.

Distinguishing between a rectangular prism and other shapes image 11

2State whether or not the shape is a rectangular prism.

This shape is not a rectangular prism, this shape is a pyramid.

3If the shape is not a rectangular prism, explain what characteristics are different.

This shape is not a rectangular prism because it has 4 triangular and 1 rectangular face.

Example 2: identify rectangular prisms

Look at the shape below and determine if it is a rectangular prism or not.

Identifying a rectangular prism image 12

Look for the characteristics of a rectangular prism.

State whether or not the shape is a rectangular prism.

Example 3: real-world example

Look at the image below and determine if it is a rectangular prism or not.

Identifying a rectangular prism real life image 16

Look for and identify the characteristics of a rectangular prism.

State whether or not the shape is a rectangular prism.

How to identify a rectangular prism in a 3D composite shape

In order to identify rectangular prisms in a composite shape, you will:

  1. Count the number of shapes that make up the composite shape.
  2. Identify and count the number of rectangular prisms within the shape.
  3. State the number of rectangular prisms within the composite shape.

Example 4: identify rectangular prisms within a 3D composite shape

Look at the composite shape and identify all rectangular prisms.

Identifying a rectangular prism withing a 3D composite shape image 20

Count the number of shapes that make up the composite shape.

Identify and count the number of rectangular prisms within the shape.

State the number of rectangular prisms within the composite shape.

Example 5: identify rectangular prisms within a 3D composite shape

Look at the composite shape and identify all rectangular prisms.

Identifying a rectangular prism withing a 3D composite shape image 22

Count the number of shapes that make up the composite shape.

Identify and count the number of rectangular prisms within the shape.

State the number of rectangular prisms within the composite shape.

Example 6: identify rectangular prisms within a 3D composite shape

Look at the composite shape and identify all rectangular prisms.

Identifying a rectangular prism withing a 3D composite shape image 24

Count the number of shapes that make up the composite shape.

Identify and count the number of rectangular prisms within the shape.

State the number of rectangular prisms within the composite shape.

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

Use this worksheet to check your grade 1 to 3 students’ understanding of identifying rectangular prisms. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE
x
[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

[FREE] Rectangular Prism Worksheet (Grade 1 to 3)

Use this worksheet to check your grade 1 to 3 students’ understanding of identifying rectangular prisms. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

Teaching tips for rectangular prisms

  • Allow students the opportunity to explore and manipulate real-life examples of a rectangular prism. Some real-life examples of rectangular prisms are shoeboxes, books, refrigerators, and televisions. These objects have a box-like shape with rectangular sides.

  • Provide students with physical rectangular prisms or building blocks to explore and manipulate. This hands-on approach helps them visualize and understand the properties and dimensions of rectangular prisms.

  • With upper elementary students, in lue of working with rectangular prisms on worksheets, allow students to measure and compare the length, width, and height of rectangular prisms using rulers or measuring tapes. This helps reinforce the concept of dimensions and encourages critical thinking.

  • Provide students with real-world practice problems or puzzles that involve rectangular prisms. For example, ask middle schoolers to calculate the volume or surface area of a rectangular prism or find the dimensions of an object given its properties.

  • With students of all ages, draw connections between rectangular prisms and other geometric shapes, such as squares, rectangles, and cubes. Discuss similarities and differences in their properties to reinforce understanding.

Easy mistakes to make

  • Assuming cubes are not rectangular prisms
    Some definitions of rectangular prisms note that the sides are different lengths, meaning a cube could not be a rectangular prism. However, cubes are a special kind of rectangular prism, and should be considered one.

  • Confusing edges and vertices
    An edge is a line segment where two faces meet, while a vertex is a point where edges intersect.

  • Confusing rectangles and rectangular prisms
    Rectangles are 2D (they are made up of a length and width and are flat), and rectangular prisms are 3D (they are made up of rectangular faces and are not flat).

Practice rectangular prism questions

1. Which of the following is an example of a rectangular prism that is not a cube? Select the correct answer.

Rectangular Prism image 25 US-1

GCSE Quiz False

Rectangular Prism image 27 US

GCSE Quiz False

Rectangular Prism image 28 US

GCSE Quiz True

Rectangular Prism image 29 US

GCSE Quiz False

The building block is a rectangular prism. This shape has 6 rectangular faces, or sides, 8 vertices and 12 edges.

 

The soda can is a cylinder.

 

The ice cream cone is a cone.

 

The tissue box is a cube.

2. Which of the following is an example of a rectangular prism that is not a cube?

Rectangular Prism image 30 US

GCSE Quiz False

Rectangular Prism image 31 US

GCSE Quiz True

Rectangular Prism image 32 US

GCSE Quiz False

Rectangular Prism image 33 US

GCSE Quiz False

The ice cream sandwich is a rectangular prism. This shape has 6 rectangular faces, or sides, 8 vertices and 12 edges.

 

The soccer ball is a sphere.

 

The traffic cone is a cone.

 

The puzzle block is a cube.

3. Which of the following is an example of a rectangular prism that is not a cube?

Rectangular Prism image 34 US

GCSE Quiz False

Rectangular Prism image 35 US

GCSE Quiz True

Rectangular Prism image 36 US

GCSE Quiz False

Rectangular Prism image 37 US

GCSE Quiz False

The cereal box is a rectangular prism. This shape has 6 rectangular faces, or sides, 8 vertices and 12 edges.

 

The egg is an ellipsoid.

 

The party hat is a cone.

 

The dice is a cube.

4. How many rectangular prisms are in the composite shape below?

Rectangular Prism image 38 US

3

GCSE Quiz True

2

GCSE Quiz False

4

GCSE Quiz False

5
GCSE Quiz False

The composite shape is made up of 5 shapes.

 

3 of the 5 shapes are rectangular prisms, including the cube.

 

1 of the shapes is a cylinder and 1 is a cone.

5. How many rectangular prisms are in the composite shape below?

 

Rectangular Prism image 39 US

7

GCSE Quiz False

5

GCSE Quiz True

3

GCSE Quiz False

4
GCSE Quiz False

The composite shape is made up of 7 shapes.

 

5 of the 7 shapes are rectangular prisms.

 

The other two shapes are cones.

6. How many rectangular prisms are in the composite shape below?

 

Rectangular Prism image 40 US

1

GCSE Quiz False

2

GCSE Quiz False

5

GCSE Quiz False

3
GCSE Quiz True

The composite shape is made up of 5 shapes.

 

3 of the 5 shapes is a rectangular prism, including 2 cubes.

 

There is also 1 sphere and 1 cylinder in the shape.

Rectangular prism FAQs

What is the difference between a rectangular prism and a cube?

A rectangular prism has different lengths, widths, and heights, while a cube has all sides of equal length.

Are parallelograms the same as a rectangular prism?

No, parallelograms are two-dimensional shapes, whereas rectangular prisms are three-dimensional shapes.

See also: Parallelogram

What are examples of other types of prisms?

Rectangular prisms are not the only type of prism you will encounter in your math career. As you progress through math, you will learn about other prisms including: hexagonal prisms, pentagonal prisms, and square prisms.

How do you calculate the volume of a rectangular prism?

To find the volume of the rectangular prism, you multiply the length, width, and height of the prism together. The rectangular prism formula for volume is: \text{Volume} = \text{length} \times \text{width} \times \text{height} cubic units: V = lwh

See also: Volume of a rectangular prism

How do you calculate the lateral surface area of a rectangular prism (lsa)?

To calculate the lateral surface area of a rectangular prism, you need to find the sum of the areas of all the rectangular faces excluding the top and bottom faces. Here’s the formula: \text{Lateral Surface Area} = 2 \times (length \times height + width \times height) = 2 (l + w) h square units.

How do you calculate the total surface area of a rectangular prism?

To calculate the total surface area of the rectangular prism, you add up the area of the lateral surface and twice the base area of the rectangular prism. The rectangular prism formula is: TSA = lsa + 2 (base area) = 2 (l + w) h + 2 (l x w) = 2 lh + 2 wh + 2 lw = 2 (lw + wh + hl) square units.

See also: Surface area of a rectangular prism

What is the difference between a rectangular prism and a triangular prism?

A rectangular prism has six faces, and all of them are rectangles. Opposite faces of a rectangular prism are congruent and parallel to each other. A triangular prism has two triangular bases and three rectangular faces connecting them. The shape of the faces and the arrangement of the angles differ between the two types of prisms.

What is a cuboid?

It is another name for a rectangular prism – they mean the same thing.

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