Primary 4 Nets of Solids
A net is a flat set of joined faces. Compare different arrangements that fold into the same solid.
Keywords
- Net
- A flat arrangement of joined faces that can fold into a solid.
- Face
- A flat surface of a solid.
- Edge
- Where two faces meet.
- Base
- A matching end face of a prism, or the bottom face of a pyramid.
Cube
A cube has six square faces. The squares can be joined in different ways, but they must fold without two faces landing in the same place.
6 equal squares
Four squares meet the middle square; the sixth extends from one arm.
Four squares make a strip, with one above and one below it.
What stays the same when the net changes?
Both arrangements have six equal squares. Try tracing each square as it folds around a different side of the cube.
Cuboid
A cuboid has six rectangular faces. Opposite faces have the same size. Look for the matching pairs as you compare the two nets.
6 rectangles in 3 matching pairs
A central rectangle has four neighbours, with the final face on an arm.
Four side faces form a strip; the remaining two close its ends.
What stays the same when the net changes?
Find the three pairs of equal rectangles. Each pair will become opposite faces of the cuboid.
Triangular prism
The two matching triangles close the ends. The three rectangles wrap around the sides of a triangular prism.
2 triangles and 3 rectangles
The triangles attach to opposite edges of two different rectangles.
Both triangles attach to opposite edges of the middle rectangle.
What stays the same when the net changes?
Count three rectangles in a strip and two matching triangles. Imagine the rectangles wrapping around the triangles.
Square pyramid
The square is the base. Four triangular faces rise from its edges and meet at one top point.
1 square and 4 triangles
All four triangles attach directly to the square.
Three triangles attach to the square; the fourth joins a triangle along a sloping side.
What stays the same when the net changes?
Find the one square base and four triangles. When folded, the tips of the triangles meet above the square.
Printable cut-and-fold nets
See each net below. Solid lines show where to cut; dashed lines show where to fold.
The PDF has four A4 sheets, one net per page. Print at 100% size, cut the solid outside lines, fold the dashed lines, then tape the free edges together.