What is the difference between triangular prism and rectangular prism

October 24, About the Author: Karen Carr. Related Posts. Roman numeral answers — Roman math. September 4th, 0 Comments. Roman numerals — Ancient Roman numbers. Averages and demographics. August 16th, 0 Comments. Enlightenment Science in Europe. August 7th, 0 Comments. Medieval math in Europe. A triangular prism has two triangular bases and three rectangular faces. Let us learn more about the triangular prism in this article. A triangular prism is a 3D shape with two identical faces in the shape of a triangle connected by three rectangular faces.

The rectangular faces are referred to as the lateral faces, while the triangular faces are called bases. The bases are also called the top and the bottom faces of the prism, respectively. A triangular prism is a 3D polyhedron with three rectangular faces and two triangular faces. The 2 triangular faces are congruent to each other, and the 3 lateral faces which are in the shape of rectangles are also congruent to each other.

Thus, a triangular prism has 5 faces, 9 edges, and 6 vertices. Observe the following figure to see a triangular prism in which L represents the length of the prism, h represents the height of the base triangle, and b represents the bottom edge of the base triangle.

The properties of a triangular prism help us to identify it easily. Listed below are a few properties of a triangular prism:. The net of a triangular prism is a pattern that is seen when the surface of the prism is opened, flattened, and laid out such that all the faces are seen clearly. This net can be folded up to make a triangular prism. It shows that the bases of the prism are shaped in a triangle and the lateral faces are shaped like a rectangle. The figure given below shows the net of a triangular prism where the triangles and the rectangles are seen clearly.

The surface area of a triangular prism is the area that is occupied by its surface. It is the sum of the areas of all the faces of the prism. Hence, the formula to calculate the surface area is:.

For more information on the surface area formula and calculations, check the article on the surface area of a triangular prism. The volume of a triangular prism is the product of its triangular base area and the length of the prism. The shape of the base on pyramids and prisms can vary, depending on the shape of the overall three-dimensional object.

For example, the base could have a square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, pentagon or octagon shape. The base is never a circle or an oval on a prism or a pyramid. The side-by-side faces, also known as lateral faces, on pyramids and prisms have different attributes. Prisms have rectangular lateral faces and pyramids have triangular lateral faces. In most cases, the lateral faces of both prisms and pyramids are angled toward the base or bases.

The rare exception is the "right prism" -- the faces are perfectly perpendicular to the base. The lateral faces are congruent triangles on a "right pyramid.

Pyramids differ from prisms because they have one central vertex , often referred to as an apex or a point, where the lateral faces meet. The vertex is directly above the center of the base, regardless of the shape of the base. Prisms don't have a vertex because there are multiple meeting points where the faces connect. As curriculum developer and educator, Kristine Tucker has enjoyed the plethora of English assignments she's read and graded!

Her experiences as vice-president of an energy consulting firm have given her the opportunity to explore business writing and HR.