Nets of Solids – Definition | Geometry Shapes | Nets of a Cube, Cone, Pyramid, Prism, Cylinder

A net is a flattened out 3-dimensional solid. It is the basic skeleton outline in two dimensions, that can be folded and glued together to obtain the 3D structure. Nets are used for making 3D shapes. In the below sections, we have discussed the nets of different geometric shapes along with the examples.

Nets of Solids – Definition

A geometry net is a two-dimensional shape that can be folded to form a three-dimensional solid. When the surface of a three-dimensional figure is laid out flat showing each face of the solid, the pattern obtained is called the net. Nets are useful in finding the surface area of the solids. The following are some steps we must take to determine whether a net forms a solid:

  • Ensure that the net and a solid have the same number of faces and that there is a match between the shapes of faces of the solid and the shapes of the corresponding faces in the net.
  • Visualize how the net is to be folded to form the solid and all the sides fit together properly.

Nets of Cube

A cube is a 3-dimensional figure having 6 faces of equal length. The cube has 8 vertices, 12 edges. All the faces of a cube are in square shape. The plane angles of the cube are the right angle. The edges opposite to each other are parallel.

Nets of Solid 1

Cube Image

Nets of Solid 2

11 possible nets of a cube

Nets of Cylinder

A cylinder has two parallel bases joined by a curved surface at a fixed distance. The bases are in circular shape and the center of two bases are joined by a line segment, called the axis. The perpendicular distance between the bases is the height and the distance from the axis to the outer surface is the radius of the cylinder.

Nets of Solid 3

Cylinder Image

Nets of Solid 4

Nets of Cylinder

Nets of Rectangular Prism

A rectangular prism has six faces and each face is a rectangle. Both the bases of the prism are rectangles and other lateral faces are also rectangles. it is also called a cuboid.

Nets of solid 5

Rectangular Prism Image

nets of Solid 6

Nets of a Rectangular Prism

Nets of Triangular Prism

A triangular prism is a polyhedron having two triangular bases and three rectangular sides. Like other prisms, two bases are congruent and parallel. The prism has 5 faces, 9 sides and 6 vertices.

Nets of Solid 7

Triangular Prism Image

Nets of Solid 8

Nets of Triangular Prism

Nets of Cone

A cone is a shape formed by using a set of line segments which connects a common point, called vertex to all the points of a circular base. the distance between vertex to base of the cone is known as its height.

nets of solid 9

Cone Image

Nets of Solid 10

Nets of Cone

Also, Read

Nets of Square Pyramid

A three-dimensional geometric shape with square base and four triangular faces all those faces meet at a single point is called the square pyramid. If all triangular faces have equal edges, then this pyramid is called an equilateral square pyramid.

Nets of solid 11

Square Pyramid Image

Nets of Solid 12

Nets of Square Pyramid

Solved Examples on Nets of Solid

Example 1:

Sketch the net of the solid shape given below.

Nets of Solid 13

Solution:

If the pyramid is unfolded along its edges we get the following net.

The net of the pentagonal pyramid is as follows.

Nets of Solid 14

Example 2:

Sketch the net of the solid shape given below.

Nets of Solid 16

Solution:

If the prism is unfolded along its edges we get the following net.

The net of the hexagonal prism is as follows.

Nets of solid 15

Example 3:

Sketch the net of the solid shape given below.

Nets of Solid 17

Solution:

If the prism is unfolded along its edges we get the following net.

The net of the hexagonal prism is as follows.

Nets of Solid 18

Frequently Asked Questions on Nets of Solid

1. How are nets useful in real life?

Nets are used in finding the surface area of the solids. The examples of nets are all three dimensional geometric shapes. Some of the 3 dimensional geometric shapes are square pyramid, cone, cylinder, triangular prism, rectangular pyramid, rectangular prism nad others.

2. Can a solid have different Nets?

Yes, a solid have different nets. Visualize how the net is folded to form a solid and make sure that all sides fit together properly. Make sure the solid and the net have same number of faces, shape of faces should match.

3. What is the net of a 3D shape?

The net of a 3D shape is what it looks like if it is opened out flat. A net can be folded up to ake a 3D shape. There can be several possible nets for one 3D shape. Draw a net on paper, then fold it into the shape.

4. How many nets are there for a cube?

There are exactly eleven nets that will form a cube.

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