Prisms

Definition

A prism is a three-dimensional shape with two parallel and congruent polygonal bases and rectangular or parallelogram faces.

Types of Prisms

Prisms can be classified based on the shape of their bases. Some common types of prisms include:

• Rectangular Prism: Bases are rectangles, and all lateral faces are rectangles.
• Square Prism: Bases are squares, and all lateral faces are rectangles.
• Triangular Prism: Bases are triangles, and all lateral faces are parallelograms.

Properties of Prisms

Some important properties of prisms include:

• Volume: The volume of a prism can be calculated using the formula V = Bh, where B is the area of the base and h is the height of the prism.
• Surface Area: The surface area of a prism can be calculated by adding the areas of the bases to the sum of the areas of the lateral faces.
• Diagonal Length: The diagonal length of a prism can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.

Real-Life Examples

Prisms are commonly found in everyday objects such as buildings, boxes, and containers. Understanding the properties of prisms can help in various fields such as architecture, engineering, and manufacturing.

Further Study

For a deeper understanding of prisms, consider exploring topics such as cross-sections of prisms, Euler's formula for prisms, and applications of prisms in architecture and design.