Constructions, nets and solids
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| edge | 棱 | léng |
| scale drawing | 比例图 | bǐ lì tú |
| net | 展开图 | zhǎn kāi tú |
| face | 面 | miàn |
| prism | 棱柱 | léng zhù |
| pyramid | 棱锥 | léng zhuī |
Building with ruler and compasses
- Ancient Greek geometers built every shape using just a straight edge 棱 and compasses — no rulers with markings, no protractors.
- Today, construction questions test whether you can use these tools precisely and leave your working visible.
Construction and solid lab
Classify geometry tasks by the tool or representation needed.
Constructing triangles
- To construct a triangle from three sides:
- 1. Draw the base with a ruler.
- 2. Set compasses to the second side length and swing an arc from one end.
- 3. Set compasses to the third side and swing from the other end.
- 4. The intersection is the third vertex. Leave the arcs showing.
Don't erase the arcs. The examiner needs to see your construction arcs to award marks. They prove you used compasses, not guesswork.
To construct a triangle from three given sides you mainly use a ruler and:
Compasses swing arcs of the correct length for the other two sides.
You should erase your construction arcs to keep the drawing neat.
Leave construction arcs visible — the examiner needs to see them to award marks.
Scale drawings 比例图
- A scale drawing represents a real object at a fixed ratio (e.g. $1\text{ cm}:5\text{ m}$).
- Measure on the drawing, then multiply by the scale factor to get the real measurement.
Scale $1:200$. A room measures $3.5\text{ cm}$ on the plan. Real length $= 3.5 \times 200 = 700\text{ cm} = 7\text{ m}$.
A scale drawing uses 1:200. A room measures 3.5 cm on the plan. What is the real length in metres?
3.5 × 200 = 700 cm = 7 m.
Nets 展开图 and solids
- A net is a flat shape that folds up into a 3D solid — handy for surface area.
- Face 面: a flat side. Edge: where two faces meet. Vertex: a corner.
- A cube has $6$ faces, $12$ edges, and $8$ vertices.
A flat shape that folds up into a solid is called a ______.
A net is the unfolded, flat version of a solid.
How many faces does a cube have?
A cube has 6 square faces (12 edges, 8 vertices).
How many edges does a cube have?
A cube has 12 edges (where two faces meet).
Naming solids
| Solid | Key property |
|---|---|
| cube / cuboid | box shapes (all flat faces) |
| prism 棱柱 | same cross-section all along |
| cylinder | circular prism |
| pyramid 棱锥 | comes to a point (apex) |
| cone | circular pyramid |
| sphere | perfectly round |
Coordinate grids help with accurate constructions — shapes can be placed, measured, and transformed precisely.
You've got it
- construct with ruler + compasses; leave the construction arcs
- a net folds into a solid (good for surface area)
- a cube: $6$ faces, $12$ edges, $8$ vertices