2E

Three-dimensional solids and Euler’s formula

Prisms, pyramids and other polyhedra, counting faces, vertices and edges, and Euler's formula F + V − E = 2.

Polyhedra

A polyhedron is a solid with flat faces. A prism has two identical, parallel ends joined by rectangles; it is named after its end (triangular prism, hexagonal prism). A pyramid has one base and triangular faces meeting at an apex.

Euler's formula

Euler's formula
$$F + V - E = 2$$

It works for every convex polyhedron. Check a cube: $6 + 8 - 12 = 2$.

Example 1●●

A polyhedron has $12$ vertices and $30$ edges. How many faces does it have?

$F + 12 - 30 = 2$
$F = 20$ (this is an icosahedron).
Flashcards
Euler's formula
$F + V - E = 2$
Pentagonal prism
$7$ faces, $10$ vertices, $15$ edges
Square pyramid
$5$ faces, $5$ vertices, $8$ edges
Practice
  1. A polyhedron has $12$ vertices and $30$ edges. How many faces?

  2. How many edges does a pentagonal prism have?

  3. How many faces does a square-based pyramid have?

  4. How many edges does a hexagonal pyramid have?

  5. How many vertices does a triangular prism have?

  6. Which is not a polyhedron?

  7. A polyhedron has $6$ faces and $12$ edges. How many vertices?

  8. A prism has $24$ edges. How many sides does its base have?

More questions

New numbers every time. Keep going until you get five in a row.

Formula sheet