Matching Solid Nets worksheet for students to connect 3D shapes to their correct 2D nets.

Let's solve the "Matching Solid Nets" worksheet step by step. The goal is to match each 3D solid shape on the left with its correct 2D net on the right.

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🔷 Step 1: Identify Each 3D Shape (Left Column)

1. Cylinder – A curved surface with two circular bases.
2. Cube – Six square faces.
3. Triangular Prism – Two triangular bases and three rectangular sides.
4. Cone – One circular base and a curved surface tapering to a point.
5. Square Pyramid – One square base and four triangular faces meeting at a point.
6. Rectangular Prism (Cuboid) – Six rectangular faces (not all equal, unlike cube).

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🔷 Step 2: Analyze Each Net (Right Column)

We'll go through each net and identify which 3D shape it forms when folded.

1. Net 1 (Top Right):
- A central rectangle with a triangle on each side.
- This forms a triangular prism when folded.
- ✔ Matches Triangular Prism

2. Net 2:
- A cross-shaped arrangement of six squares.
- This is the classic net for a cube.
- ✔ Matches Cube

3. Net 3:
- A rectangle with a circle on top and bottom.
- This represents a cylinder (the rectangle wraps around, circles are bases).
- ✔ Matches Cylinder

4. Net 4:
- A central rectangle with smaller rectangles extending from the sides.
- This looks like a rectangular prism (cuboid) net.
- ✔ Matches Rectangular Prism

5. Net 5:
- A sector of a circle (like a slice) with a circle below.
- When folded, this becomes a cone (sector forms the lateral surface, circle is the base).
- ✔ Matches Cone

6. Net 6:
- A large triangle divided into four smaller triangles.
- This is the net for a square pyramid — one square base and four triangular faces.
- Wait! Actually, this net has four triangles, but no square. Let's double-check.

❗Wait: The net shows a large triangle split into four small triangles. That suggests a tetrahedron (triangular pyramid), not a square pyramid.

But our shape is a square pyramid (base = square, 4 triangular faces). So we need a net with one square and four triangles.

However, looking closely: the last net (bottom right) is a large triangle divided into four smaller ones, forming a triangular pyramid (tetrahedron), which is not the same as a square pyramid.

But wait — the fifth shape is a square pyramid (with a square base), so its net should have one square and four triangles.

But none of the nets show that? Let’s re-express:

Let’s list the nets again carefully:

- Net 1: Rectangle + two triangles → Triangular prism
- Net 2: Cross of 6 squares → Cube
- Net 3: Rectangle with two circles → Cylinder
- Net 4: T-shape of rectangles → Rectangular prism
- Net 5: Sector + circle → Cone
- Net 6: Large triangle with three smaller ones inside → This is a triangular pyramid (tetrahedron)

But our shapes include:
- Square pyramid (not tetrahedron)
- Triangular prism
- Cube
- Cylinder
- Cone
- Rectangular prism

So where is the square pyramid?

Let's look again at Net 6: It's a large triangle made of four small triangles. That is a tetrahedron — a triangular pyramid (all faces are triangles).

But our fifth shape is a square pyramid — which has a square base and four triangular faces.

So there must be a mismatch in labeling or drawing?

Wait — let’s check the fifth shape from the top:

> It’s a pyramid with a triangular base? No — it’s shown as a triangular pyramid (tetrahedron), but labeled as a square pyramid?

Actually, looking at the image:

- The fifth shape is a pyramid with a triangular base — it has three triangular faces meeting at a point. That is a triangular pyramid (tetrahedron).

But the sixth shape is a rectangular prism (cuboid).

So let's reassign:

### Correct Identification:

| Left Shape | Type |
|-----------|------|
| 1 | Cylinder |
| 2 | Cube |
| 3 | Triangular Prism |
| 4 | Cone |
| 5 | Triangular Pyramid (Tetrahedron) |
| 6 | Rectangular Prism |

Now match to nets:

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🔷 Final Matching:

Now match each shape to the correct net:

1. Cylinder → Net with rectangle and two circles
→ Net 3

2. Cube → Net with six squares in a cross
→ Net 2

3. Triangular Prism → Two triangles and three rectangles
→ Net 1

4. Cone → Sector of a circle and a circle
→ Net 5

5. Triangular Pyramid (Tetrahedron) → Four triangles (net showing a large triangle subdivided)
→ Net 6

6. Rectangular Prism → Six rectangles arranged in a T-shape or cross-like pattern
→ Net 4

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✔ Final Answer:

| Shape (Left) | Matches Net (Right) |
|--------------|---------------------|
| 1. Cylinder | → Net 3 |
| 2. Cube | → Net 2 |
| 3. Triangular Prism | → Net 1 |
| 4. Cone | → Net 5 |
| 5. Triangular Pyramid | → Net 6 |
| 6. Rectangular Prism | → Net 4 |

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🔍 Explanation of Key Nets:

- Cylinder (Net 3): The rectangle becomes the curved surface; the two circles become the top and bottom.
- Cube (Net 2): Classic "cross" net — fold the squares up to form a box.
- Triangular Prism (Net 1): Two triangles (bases) connected by three rectangles (sides).
- Cone (Net 5): The sector wraps around to form the cone’s side; the circle is the base.
- Triangular Pyramid (Net 6): Four triangles form a pyramid with a triangular base.
- Rectangular Prism (Net 4): Six rectangles folded to make a box with different-sized faces.

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📝 Instructions for Student:

Draw a line from each 3D shape to its matching net using the pairings above.

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✔ Answer Summary (for quick reference):

- Cylinder → Net 3
- Cube → Net 2
- Triangular Prism → Net 1
- Cone → Net 5
- Triangular Pyramid → Net 6
- Rectangular Prism → Net 4

Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer key!