What are 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional Shapes?

Shapes are an essential aspect of everything we observe in the world. In the objects that surround us, we can find different basic shapes such as the two-dimensional square, rectangle, and oval, as well as the three-dimensional rectangular prism, cylinder, and sphere. Birthday cards, notes and coins, finger rings, photo frames, dart boards, houses, windows, magician's wands, high buildings, flower pots, toys, and balloons are all examples of geometric shapes.

The number of sides or corners of a shape changes from one to another. A side, or vertex, is a straight line that forms part of a shape, and a corner, or vertex, is the point where two sides meet. You're already familiar with the most common shapes in two-dimensional and three-dimensional space, and you may not be able to explain the differences between a square and a cube, or a circle and a sphere. In this article, we will start analyzing and comparing the properties of these two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, explaining their similarities and differences.

What are 2D shapes?

When we say 2D, we are referring to two-dimensional shapes. These shapes are defined by their width and height and are flat, lacking any depth. Examples of 2D shapes include rectangles and circles. Since they are flat, we cannot physically hold 2D objects. Dimensions, in this context, refer to measurements in a specific direction, such as length, width or breadth, depth, and height. As 2D objects lack depth, they only have two dimensions.

Examples of 2D shapes in daily life

• Rectangles: Picture frames, book covers, laptop screens, phone screens, and windows are all rectangular 2D shapes.
• Circles: Coins, plates, wheels, and clocks all have circular 2D shapes.
• Triangles: Road signs, pizza slices, and some roofs have triangular 2D shapes.
• Squares: Sticky notes, playing cards, and floor tiles are all examples of square 2D shapes.
• Ovals: Many fruits and vegetables such as eggs, apples, and avocados have oval 2D shapes.

What are 3D Shapes

3D shapes are not flat like 2D shapes; they have depth, which means they can be physically held. When we talk about 3D shapes, we are referring to objects that have length, breadth, and depth, and examples of 3D shapes include spheres, cuboids, cubes, square-based pyramids, cylinders, and cones. Imagine holding a ball in your hand or looking at a can of soda - both of these objects are 3D shapes that you can hold and touch.

The difference between 2D and 3D shapes is like the difference between a picture of a tree and an actual tree that you can touch and feel.

Examples of 3D shapes in daily life

• A soccer ball or basketball is a sphere, which is a 3D shape.
• A cereal box or a shoebox is a cuboid, which is also a 3D shape.
• A dice or a sugar cube is a cube, which is a 3D shape with six identical square faces.
• A traffic cone is a cone, which is a 3D shape with a circular base that tapers to a point at the top.
• A can of soda or a candle is a cylinder, which is a 3D shape with a circular base and straight sides.
• A roof on a house or a piece of pizza is a square-based pyramid, which is a 3D shape with a square base and triangular sides.

These are just a few examples, but there are many more 3D shapes all around us, from the furniture we sit on to the toys we play with.

What are the Differences Between 2D and 3D Shapes?

The distinction between 2D and 3D shapes can be perplexing, but there are methods to distinguish between them in space. In contrast to 2D shapes, 3D shapes possess length, width, and height as their dimensions. Additionally, unlike 2D shapes, they do not have a flat surface; instead, they have depth. Essentially, 2D shapes have two dimensions, while 3D shapes have three dimensions. It is crucial to recognize that the fundamental difference between 2D and 3D shapes is the number of dimensions they possess.

Conclusion

The field of mathematics known as geometry includes topics related to both 2D and 3D shapes. These topics are covered in various parts of the curriculum. When studying shapes in Year 3, you will learn to analyze and compare the characteristics of 2D shapes. You'll also learn how to create patterns using 2D shapes and solve problems related to them. You'll develop the ability to recognize 2D shapes in everyday objects like buildings and road signs. Additionally, this article serves as an introduction to 3D shapes, which will prove useful in higher level classes.