Understand the idea.
A net opens a solid
A net is a connected flat arrangement that folds into a solid. Each panel becomes a face, while shared panel edges act as fold lines. Imagine the faces lifting into position rather than lying on top of one another.
A cube needs six equal squares. A rectangular prism has six faces in matching opposite pairs, but the faces need not all be squares. Match both the face shapes and the lengths of edges that will join.
Check the faces and their arrangement
A triangular prism has two matching triangular ends joined by three rectangular faces. A square pyramid has one square base and four triangles that meet at a tip. Use these face groups to identify likely solids.
The arrangement must also close without gaps or overlapping faces; the right face count alone is insufficient. For a cylinder, a rectangle wraps into the curved surface and two equal circles close the ends.
See the method in action.
Six equal squares
Which solid can this net make?
Worked solution
- 1
Identify the panels.
There are four squares in the row and one above and below B.
- 2
Imagine folding the row into a band.
A, B, C and D occupy four side positions around the solid.
- 3
Close the two remaining openings.
E and F close the opposite ends, making a cube with six square faces.
A cube.
Two triangular ends
Identify the solid made by the net.
Worked solution
- 1
Group the face shapes.
The net has two matching end panels and three rectangular side panels.
- 2
Fold the rectangles into a band.
The three side faces wrap around the three sides of a triangular end.
- 3
Close the triangular ends.
The matching triangles close opposite ends, so the intended solid is a triangular prism.
A triangular prism.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Which solid has one square base and four triangular side faces?
Show answer & reasoning
A square pyramid.
One square base with four triangular sides forms a square pyramid. Each triangle joins one base edge, and their outer tips meet at the apex.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions · 9 marks
Read the questions online
- Name the solid made by this net.1 mark
- Name this solid.1 mark
- How many triangular faces will this net make?1 mark
- A net has two equal circles and a rectangle for a curved surface. What solid does it make?1 mark
- A rectangular box has length 6 cm, width 4 cm and height 3 cm. List its three pairs of opposite face sizes.3 marks
- Can a cube net contain five squares and one triangle? Explain.2 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- Name the solid made by this net.1 mark
The net has six equal squares in a valid folding arrangement.
Cube. - Name this solid.1 mark
Two matching triangular ends join to three rectangular sides.
Triangular prism. - How many triangular faces will this net make?1 mark
Each of the four triangles becomes one sloping face.
Four. - A net has two equal circles and a rectangle for a curved surface. What solid does it make?1 mark
The circles close the ends and the rectangle wraps around.
Cylinder. - A rectangular box has length 6 cm, width 4 cm and height 3 cm. List its three pairs of opposite face sizes.3 marks
Match length/width, length/height and width/height.
Two 6 by 4 cm faces; two 6 by 3 cm faces; two 4 by 3 cm faces. - Can a cube net contain five squares and one triangle? Explain.2 marks
Every cube face is a square, so all six panels must be equal squares.
No.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Connect objects and two-dimensional nets; construct and explain spatial relationships.
Official curriculum source ↗