(A)​Polyhedron( plural: Polyhedra)

A polyhedron is a 3D shape with flat faces, straight edges, and sharp edges (corners). The word "polyhedron" is

derived from a Greek word, where 'poly' means "many" and hedron means "surface".Thus, when many flat

surfaces are joined, they form a polyhedron. These shapes have names according to their faces, which are usually

polygons. The most common names are cubes, hexahedra, etc. Let us learn more about the types of polyhedra and

solve a few examples to understand the shape better.

A.1 Definition

A polyhedron is a three-dimensional solid made up of polygons. It has flat faces, straight edges, and vertices. For

example, a cube, a prism, and a pyramid are all polyhedra. Cones, spheres, and cylinders are non-polyhedrons

because their sides are not polygons and they have curved surfaces. The plural of a polyhedron is also known as

polyhedra. They are classified as prisms, pyramids, and platonic solids. For example, a triangular prism, a square

prism, a rectangular pyramid, a square pyramid, and a cube (a platonic solid) are polyhedra. Observe the following

figure, which shows the different kinds of polyhedra.

Parts of a Polyhedron

The dimensions of a polyhedron are classified as faces, edges, and vertices.

●​ Face: The flat surface of a polyhedron is termed its face.

●​ Edge: The two faces meet at a line called the edge.

●​ Vertices: The point of intersection of two edges is a vertex.

A.1 Types of Polyhedra

Polyhedra are mainly divided into two types – regular polyhedra and irregular polyhedra.

Regular Polyhedron

A regular polyhedron is also called a Platonic solid, whose faces are regular polygons and are congruent to each

other. In a regular polyhedron, all the polyhedral angles are equal. There are five regular polyhedra. The following

is the list of five regular polyhedra.

●​ Tetrahedron: A tetrahedron has 4 faces, 6 edges, and 4 vertices (corners); and the shape of each face is

an equilateral triangle.

●​ Cube: A cube has 6 faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices; and the shape of each face is a square.

●​ Regular Octahedron: A regular octahedron has 8 faces, 12 edges, and 6 vertices; and the shape of

each face is an equilateral triangle.

●​ Regular Dodecahedron: A regular dodecahedron has 12 faces, 30 edges, 20 vertices, and the shape of

each face is a regular pentagon.

●​ Regular Icosahedron: A Regular icosahedron has 20 faces, 30 edges, and 12 vertices, and the shape of

each face is an equilateral triangle.

Irregular Polyhedron

A polyhedron with irregular polygonal faces that are not congruent to each other, and in which the polyhedral

angles are not equal, is called an irregular polyhedron.

 (B)​Prisms

A prism is a three-dimensional solid that has identical faces at both ends. The other faces are flats. A prism is

named after its base. Therefore, there are different types of prisms named based on the shape of their bases. Let us

explore more about the world of prisms.

B.1 Definition of a Prism

A prism is an important member of the polyhedron family that has congruent polygons at the base and top. The

other faces of a prism are called lateral faces. It means that a prism does not have a curved face. A prism has the

same cross-section all along its length. The prisms are named depending upon their cross-sections. A metallic nut

is the best example to represent a hexagonal prism, a fish aquarium represents a rectangular prism, and many more

such live appliances in our surroundings represent the prisms.

B.2 Types of Prisms

Before reading about various types of prism,s let us understand on what basis types of prisms can be obtained.

Prisms can be classified on the following basis:

Prisms Based on the Type of Polygon of the Base

A prism is classified based on the type of polygon base it has.

There are two types of prisms in this category, named as:

●​ Regular Prism: If the base of the prism is in the shape

of a regular polygon, the prism is a regular prism.

●​ Irregular Prism: If the base of the prism is in the shape

of an irregular polygon, the prism is irregular.

Prisms Based on the Shape of the Bases

A prism is named on the basis of the shape obtained by the cross-section of the prism. They are further classified

as:

●​ Triangular Prism: A prism whose bases are triangle in shape is considered a triangular prism.

●​ Square Prism: A prism whose bases are square

in shape is considered a square prism

●​ Rectangular prism: A prism whose bases are

rectangle in shape is considered a rectangular prism (a

rectangular prism is cuboidal in shape).

●​ Pentagonal Prism: A prism whose bases are

pentagon in shape is considered a pentagonal prism.

●​ Hexagonal Prisms: A prism whose bases are

hexagon in shape is considered a hexagonal prism.

●​ Octagonal Prism: A prism whose bases are

octagon in shape is considered an octagonal prism.

●​ Trapezoidal Prism: A prism whose bases are

trapezoid in shape is considered a trapezoidal prism.

(C ) Pyramids

The base can be of any shape such as triangle, square,

rectangle, or a pentagon. The diagram above shows a
pyramid with a square base.

The Pyramids of Giza, in Egypt, is a very common and beautiful example

of a pyramid shape.

C.1 Definition and Its Parts

A pyramid is a polyhedron with a polygonal base bounded by triangular

faces meeting at a common vertex, known as the apex. The triangular faces
are called the lateral faces.
When a pyramid is rested on its base, it points upwards. The square pyramid is the most common type of pyramid.

C.2 Types

Depending on the base, a

pyramid can be of different
shapes. Some common
types are: triangular,
rectangular, square,
pentagonal, and hexagonal.