Learn the Method
1Count the faces first.
The net must have exactly as many shapes as the solid has faces — 6 squares for a cube.
2Fold it in your head.
Pick a base, fold the neighbours up, and check nothing overlaps.
3Match shapes to faces.
Cylinder: 2 circles + 1 rectangle. Square-based pyramid: 1 square + 4 triangles.
Worked Example
What solid does each net make?
Watch Out! Common Mistakes
Count first! A net with 5 squares can never make a cube — a cube needs exactly 6 faces.
Careful! Six squares in a 2×3 grid do NOT fold into a cube — faces overlap. Mentally fold to check.
Check edges! In a cuboid net, faces that fold together must share edges of the same length.
⬇ Cheat Sheet
- A net folds flat-to-solid; faces must match in number.
- Cube: 6 squares (11 valid nets exist).
- Cylinder: 2 circles + rectangle. Pyramid: square + 4 triangles.
- Mentally fold to check for overlaps.
📖 Continue Your Journey
Quick summary
- A net is a 2D pattern that folds into a 3D shape.
- The net's shapes must match the solid's faces exactly — 6 squares for a cube.
- A cube has 11 valid nets; a 2×3 block of squares is NOT one of them.
- Mentally fold from a chosen base to check for overlaps.
Frequently asked questions
What is a net in maths?
A flat (2D) arrangement of shapes that folds up to make a 3D solid — like a cardboard box opened out flat.
How many nets does a cube have?
Eleven different arrangements of six squares fold into a cube. Many other six-square arrangements don't work because faces overlap.
How can children check if a net works?
Count the faces first, then mentally fold: fix one shape as the base and fold the neighbours up one at a time, watching for overlaps and gaps.
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