3D Paper Nets

Concept

It is possible to make three-dimensional objects, such as a pyramid or cuboids, from paper with only two dimensions. All you need to know is the “3D Net” corresponding to the solid.

Types of solids

Understanding the names of various solids is essential - especially when you need to articulate what shape you’re looking for to someone else. “Square-base Pyramid? Got it!”…without having to make a bunch of air gestures to explain what kind of solid you need.

Cube

Cuboid

Prism

Triange-base Pyramid

Square-base Pyramid

Cone

Cylinder

Or at least, it’s trying to be. :)

Solids and Nets

Each of the above solids can be created using their two-dimensional nets. For example, to create a cube here is one of the nets you can use.

Infact, there are eleven possible nets for a cube. In each of the cases, none of the faces will overlap which means they will create a perfect cuble.

Try to fold in your mind (that’s the fun part!) and see if any of the faces overlap. None should. But what about below?

Activity

You can make paper nets at home, or buy pre-made ones (with flaps that make it convenient to build the solid) from amazon.

• math
• grade-5
• math-grade-5