How_To_Be_Good_At_Math

228 GEOMETRY • NETS

Nets

A net is a 2D shape that can be cut out, folded, and stuck

together to make a 3D shape. Some 3D shapes, such as the

cube on this page, can be made from many different nets.

The shape is

creased along the

lines dividing the squares.

When the lines are folded,

they will form the edges

of the cube.

The squares round

the central square

will be the cube’s sides.

The square furthest

from the centre square

will be the lid.

The flat net has

now been turned

into a cube.

Sharp creases help

form the shape

The end square forms

the lid

Net of a cube TRY IT OUT

Find more nets

Here are three more nets of

a cube. There are actually 11

different nets for a cube – can

you work out any others?

This shape, made of six

squares, can be folded

to make a cube. In

geometry, we say the

shape is a net of a cube.

A net is what a 3D

shape looks like when

it’s opened out flat.

Answer on page 320

228_229_3D_Nets.indd 228 29/02/2016 18:05