Solid Shapes for Class 6: Types, Properties and Solved Examples

Solid shapes are three-dimensional objects that have length, breadth, and height. Unlike plane figures, solid shapes occupy space and have volume. Common examples include cubes, cuboids, cylinders, cones, and spheres, which are found in everyday objects such as boxes, balls, cans, and ice cream cones.
Understanding solid shapes helps students build spatial awareness and apply geometry in real-life situations such as packaging, construction, and design. In this guide, you will learn about the types, properties, and examples of solid shapes.

Table of Contents

• What are Solid Shapes?
• 2D Shapes vs Solid (3D) Shapes
• Faces, Edges & Vertices
• Types of Solid Shapes
• Common Solid Shapes with Properties
• Solved Examples on Solid Shapes
• Practice Questions on Solid Shapes

What are Solid Shapes?

A solid shape (also called a 3D shape or three-dimensional shape) is any shape that has three measurements: length, width (breadth), and height (depth). Because they have all three dimensions, solid shapes occupy actual space; they have volume, unlike flat 2D shapes like circles and squares drawn on paper.
In mathematics, solid shapes are also called geometric solids. They are the fundamental objects of three-dimensional geometry. Examples: cube, cuboid, sphere, cone, cylinder, pyramid.

2D Shapes vs Solid (3D) Shapes

Let us look into a few fundamental differences between flat shapes and solid shapes.

Faces, Edges & Vertices

Every solid shape can be described using three fundamental components: faces, edges, and vertices.

• Face:

A flat or curved surface of a solid shape. Example: A cube has 6 square faces. A cylinder has 2 flat circular faces + 1 curved face.

• Edge:

A line segment where two faces of a solid shape meet. Example: A cube has 12 edges. A triangular prism has 9 edges.

• Vertex:

A point (corner) where three or more edges of a solid shape meet. The plural of vertex is vertices. Example: A cube has 8 vertices. A cone has 1 vertex (the tip/apex).

Types of Solid Shapes

Solid shapes are broadly classified into two main categories based on the nature of their surfaces:

• Polyhedra: Solid shapes with all flat faces (e.g., cube, cuboid, pyramid, and prism). The word comes from Greek: 'poly' (many) + 'hedra' (faces).

• Non-Polyhedra: Solid shapes with at least one curved surface (e.g., sphere, cylinder, and cone).

Common Solid Shapes with Properties

 

Solved Examples on Solid Shapes

Example 1: Identify the number of faces, edges, and vertices in a cube.

Solution: A cube has the following:

Number of faces = 6

Number of edges = 12

Number of vertices = 8

Example 2: Name the solid shape that has:

(a) Only one curved surface

(b) One curved surface and one circular base

Solution: (a) Sphere (only one curved surface, no edges or vertices)

(b) Cone (one curved surface and one circular base)

Example 3: A solid has 2 flat circular faces and 1 curved surface. Identify the shape.

Solution: Given the solid has 2 flat circular faces and 1 curved surface.

This is a cylinder, as it has the following: 2 circular faces (top and bottom) and 1 curved surface

Example 4: How many vertices does a cone have?

Solution: A cone has 1 vertex.

Example 5: Count the number of edges in a triangular pyramid (tetrahedron).

Solution: A triangular pyramid has 6 edges.

Practice Questions on Solid Shapes

1. How many faces, edges, and vertices does a cuboid have?

2. Name two solid shapes that have no vertices.

3. How many edges does a square pyramid have?

4. Aditya is packing gifts. He has a box shaped like a cube with edge length 12 cm and another box shaped like a cuboid with dimensions 20 cm × 10 cm × 8 cm. Both have 6 faces and 12 edges. How are the two shapes different?

5. A solid shape has 6 faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices. All its faces are rectangles. What shape is it?

6. A solid has one circular base and one curved surface. Identify the shape. 

7. How many edges are there in a cube?

8. True or False:
   (a) A sphere has one face.
   (b) A cylinder has two flat faces.
   (c) A cone has no vertices.