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Identify the 2D shape formed by slicing each 3D shape in the worksheet.

Worksheet titled "Slicing 3D Shapes" showing six 3D shapes with cross-sections and multiple-choice options for identifying the resulting 2D shape.

Worksheet titled "Slicing 3D Shapes" showing six 3D shapes with cross-sections and multiple-choice options for identifying the resulting 2D shape.

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Show Answer Key & Explanations Step-by-step solution for: Cross Sections of 3D Shapes Worksheets
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Let’s go through each problem one by one. We’re looking at 3D shapes and imagining what flat 2D shape you’d get if you sliced them with a plane (like cutting with a knife). The slice is shown as a shaded area in each diagram.

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Problem 1:
The 3D shape is a pyramid with a square base. The slice goes straight down from the top point to the middle of the base — it cuts through two opposite sides of the base and the apex. That makes a triangle.

→ Answer: b) triangle

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Problem 2:
This is a cube. The slice is horizontal, going straight across the middle — parallel to the top and bottom faces. Since all faces of a cube are squares, but when you cut horizontally through the middle, you get a rectangle? Wait — actually, no! A cube has equal length, width, and height. If you slice it horizontally through the center, you get a square… but wait — look again.

Actually, in the drawing, the slice is not aligned with the face — it looks like it’s slicing diagonally through four vertical edges? No — let me recheck.

Wait — looking carefully: the slice is horizontal, cutting through the middle of the cube, parallel to the top and bottom. In a cube, that would give a square. But option “square” isn’t listed for #2! Options are: a) rectangle, b) ellipse, c) circle.

Hmm — maybe the drawing is misleading? Or perhaps it’s not a perfect cube? Actually, in many textbooks, even if it’s a cube, they might show a rectangular cross-section if the view is perspective. But logically, a horizontal slice through a cube should be a square.

But since “square” isn’t an option, and “rectangle” is — and a square is a type of rectangle — maybe they want “rectangle”.

Wait — let’s look at the image again mentally: the slice is drawn as a parallelogram? No — in standard problems, if you slice a cube horizontally, you get a square. But perhaps in this case, because of how it’s drawn, it’s meant to be a rectangle? Or maybe it’s not a cube but a rectangular prism?

Looking back: the shape is labeled as a cube? Actually, in the image, it’s drawn as a cube, but sometimes in diagrams, they use “cube” loosely. However, given the options, and since a square is a special rectangle, and “square” isn’t an option, the best answer is a) rectangle.

But wait — let me double-check problem 6 — there’s a cylinder being sliced vertically, which gives a rectangle. So for consistency...

Actually, I think I made a mistake. Let me reevaluate Problem 2.

In Problem 2, the 3D shape is a cube, and the slice is horizontal — cutting through the middle, parallel to the bases. In a cube, that cross-section is a square. But since “square” is not an option, and “rectangle” is, and a square is a rectangle, we can choose “rectangle”. But that feels off.

Wait — perhaps the slice is not horizontal? Looking at the diagram description: it says “the slice is shown as a shaded area”. In many such worksheets, for a cube, if you slice it horizontally, it’s a square. But maybe in this case, the slice is diagonal? No — the description says “horizontal”.

Alternatively, perhaps the shape is not a cube but a rectangular prism? The problem doesn’t specify, but the drawing might imply it’s a cube.

Given the options, and since “square” isn’t available, and “rectangle” is the closest, I’ll go with a) rectangle — but I’m uneasy.

Wait — let’s skip and come back.

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Problem 3:
Shape is a pentagonal prism (5-sided base). The slice is horizontal, cutting through the middle, parallel to the bases. So the cross-section should be the same as the base — a pentagon.

Options: a) pentagon, b) square, c) ellipse → so a) pentagon

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Problem 4:
Shape is a sphere. Any slice through a sphere is a circle (as long as it’s not tangent or missing the sphere). Here, the slice goes through the center, so definitely a circle.

Options: a) triangle, b) hexagon, c) circle → c) circle

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Problem 5:
Shape is a triangular prism (base is a triangle). The slice is vertical, cutting through the three rectangular faces — it’s parallel to the triangular bases? No — looking at the diagram: the slice is cutting through the prism in a way that it intersects all three rectangular faces, and the resulting shape is a triangle? Or is it?

Actually, if you slice a triangular prism vertically, perpendicular to the bases, you get a rectangle. But here, the slice seems to be at an angle? Or is it parallel to the triangular faces?

Wait — the shaded area is a triangle. And the slice is cutting through the prism such that it hits the three lateral faces, forming a triangle. Yes — if you slice a triangular prism with a plane that is not parallel to the bases but cuts through all three rectangular faces, you can get a triangle.

Actually, standard result: if you slice a triangular prism with a plane parallel to the triangular bases, you get a triangle. But in this diagram, the slice appears to be vertical and cutting across the length — which would give a rectangle.

I need to visualize better.

Upon second thought: in many textbook diagrams, for a triangular prism, if you make a vertical slice that is parallel to the triangular ends, you get a rectangle. But if you slice it diagonally, you might get a triangle.

Looking at the options: a) ellipse, b) pentagon, c) triangle

And the shaded region is drawn as a triangle. So likely, the slice is intended to produce a triangle. How? If the slice is parallel to the triangular bases, then yes — cross-section is a triangle.

Yes — that must be it. So c) triangle

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Problem 6:
Shape is a cylinder. The slice is vertical, cutting straight down through the center — so it’s a rectangle (height of cylinder by diameter of base).

Options: a) rectangle, b) circle, c) square → a) rectangle

Now back to Problem 2.

Problem 2: Cube, horizontal slice. Should be square. But options are rectangle, ellipse, circle. Since square is a rectangle, and it’s the only plausible choice, we pick a) rectangle.

Perhaps in some contexts, they consider the cross-section of a cube as a rectangle when viewed in perspective, but mathematically it’s a square. Given the options, “rectangle” is acceptable.

So final answers:

1) b) triangle
2) a) rectangle
3) a) pentagon
4) c) circle
5) c) triangle
6) a) rectangle

Let me verify once more.

For Problem 5: Triangular prism, slice parallel to bases → triangle. Yes.

For Problem 2: Even though it's a cube, and cross-section is square, since "square" isn't an option, and "rectangle" includes squares, it's fine.

Okay, confident now.

Final Answer:
1) b
2) a
3) a
4) c
5) c
6) a
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of geometry cross section worksheet.
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