Geometry Shapes
⭐ MasteredShapes have sides and corners. A triangle has 3 sides, a square has 4 equal sides and a hexagon has 6 sides.
Honeybees build hexagon-shaped cells because they fit together perfectly.
All about Geometry Shapes
Shapes are described by their sides, corners and angles. A square has four equal sides and four right angles.
Flat shapes are called two-dimensional, or 2D, shapes. Their names come from the number of sides, such as pentagon (5), hexagon (6) and octagon (8). Learning these names helps you describe and sort shapes around you.
The sides of a shape are the straight lines that form its edge, and the corners where two sides meet are called vertices.
Learning to name shapes by their sides helps you spot them in buildings, road signs and nature.
🎮 Try it yourself!
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👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows different shapes being drawn and labelled with their number of sides. Watch how each side and corner is counted as the shape is built up.
Real-life uses of Geometry Shapes
- Recognising road signs, such as the octagon of a stop sign
- Designing tiles, quilts and logos
- Describing a shape so a friend can draw it
Frequently asked questions about Geometry Shapes
What is the difference between a square and a rectangle?
A square has four equal sides and four right angles. A rectangle has four right angles, but only opposite sides are equal.
How many sides does a hexagon have?
A hexagon has six sides and six corners.
What is a polygon?
Any closed flat shape made from straight sides. Triangles, squares and hexagons are all polygons.