Common shapes and their characteristics

Geometry was the first of the mathematical sciences to be

developed. Geometry means measuring the world and involves
either one, two or three dimensions. Typically:
Geometry I a point has no dimensions and is an infinitely small dot in
space;
I a line has one dimension and connects two points;

The Learning Centre

I a surface has two dimensions; and
I a solid has three dimensions.
Knowledge of some basic shapes and their properties becomes
important. Some of these shapes and properties are sure to be
familiar. Area measures the amount of space that a figure takes up
in two dimensions. The basic unit of measurement of area is a
length measurement squared, for example metres squared (m2 ).

Common shapes and their characteristics — Common shapes and their characteristics — Triangles
Angles
@
@ @
@ @
@ @
@ @
@ @

I If two sides are the same length they are called isosceles triangles.
I If three sides are the same length they are called equilateral
triangles.
I Angles are often measured in degrees
I If one of the angles is 90◦ it is called a right angled triangle
I Angles are symbolized using a Greek letter such as θ or
sometimes by three letters, ∠ABC .
I The sum of all the angles in a triangle is 180◦ .
I When an angle is 90◦ we call it a right angle and the two I The area of a triangle equals half the base times the perpendicular
lines that make that angle we say are perpendicular. height (A = 12 b × h).

I An angle that produces a straight line is 180◦ . I The perimeter of a triangle is the sum of the lengths of the sides.
Common shapes and their characteristics — Common shapes and their characteristics — Rectangles
Squares

I Rectangles are four sided figures where the opposite sides are
equal and every angle is 90◦ .
I Squares are four sided figures where all sides are of equal
length and all angles are 90◦ .
I The area of a rectangle is the product of the two sides,
A = l × w , where l is the length and w is the width.
I The area of a square is the product of two sides, A = s 2 .
I The perimeter of a rectangle is the sum of the sides,
I The perimeter of a square is the sum of the sides, P = 4s . P = 2l + 2w = 2(l + w ) .

Common shapes and their characteristics — Common shapes and their characteristics —
Parallelograms & Trapeziums Circles

'$

&%
I A parallelogram is a four sided figure in which the opposite
sides are parallel and are of equal length.
I This also means that the opposite angles are equal. I Circles are shapes as shown, where the diameter is the length
of a line touching each side and passing through the centre.
I The radius is half the diameter.
@ I The area of a circle is A = πr 2 , where r is the radius.
The perimeter of a circle (the circumference) is pi times the
@ I
diameter, P = πd = 2πr .
I A trapezium is a four sided figure in which only two sides are
parallel
Common shapes and their characteristics — Rectangular Common shapes and their characteristics — Triangular
Prisms prism

I This shape is a box in which the base is a triangle.

I This shape is a box with a rectangular base and sides. I The volume is the area of the triangle times the perpendicular
I The volume equals the product of its length, width and height. height.
I A cube is a rectangular prism in which all sides are squares.

Common shapes and their characteristics — Common shapes and their characteristics — Pyramid
Cylinder

I This shape has a rectangular base with triangles as all the

other sides.
I A cylinder is like a prism but has a circular base.
I It has one third the volume of a rectangular prism of the same
I The volume of a cylinder is the area of the circular base times
base.
the height.
Common shapes and their characteristics — Tetrahedron Common shapes and their characteristics —
Sphere

I A sphere is a ball shaped figure.

I This shape is sometimes called a triangular pyramid, as it has
I The volume of a sphere is given by the formula
a triangular base with triangles as the other sides. 4
V = πr 3 .
I Note that this means that all four sides are triangles. 3