A prism is a 3D shape with two identical parallel ends, joined by rectangles. Triangular prism, hexagonal prism, rectangular prism (a.k.a. cuboid) — the front and back match, and the sides connect them.
Spin the solid
Triangular prism
faces
5
5
edges
9
9
vertices
6
6
V − E + F = 6 − 9 + 5 = 2
drag to rotate
Spin the solid
Hexagonal prism
faces
8
8
edges
18
18
vertices
12
12
V − E + F = 12 − 18 + 8 = 2
drag to rotate
Volume of any prism
Multiply the area of the end shape by how long the prism is.
Common prisms
- Cuboid — rectangular ends. The shape of bricks and cardboard boxes.
- Triangular prism — triangle ends. The classic glass prism that splits white light into a rainbow.
- Hexagonal prism — hexagon ends. Pencils and honeycomb cells.