Activities

1. What shape is created by a cross-section of a rectangular prism cut parallel to its base?
   
   
2. What shape is created by a cross-section of a cone cut parallel to its base?
   
   
3. A log of wood is being cut so that circular pieces are being made.  What direction should a person cut the log of wood if it is laying on the ground pictured below?

4. If a cut is made parallel to the base, what is the shape of the cross-sectional view?  What is the perimeter of the cross -section?

5. What shape will be made if a cut is made on the diagonal line completely through the rectangular prism?  What would the area be of the cross-section?

6. A vertical cut is made through the vertex of a right rectangular pyramid. What polygon is formed by the cross sectional view?  What would the perimeter of the cross-section be?

7. The cylinder below is cut with a vertical line, what shape is the cross-section?  What is the area of that shape?

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Rectangle

2. Circle

3. Vertically

4. The shape of the cross section would be a rectangle.  The perimeter would be found by adding the side lengths of 10 + 2 +10 + 2 = 24 inches.

5. The shape of the cross section would be a rectangle. The area would be found by multiplying the base by the height.  A = 5 x 14 = 70 inches²

6. The shape of the cross section would be a triangle.  The perimeter would be found by adding up the side lengths 10 + 10 +5 = 25 cm.

7. The shape of the cross section would be a circle. The area would be found by using the formula A = ∏r².

• A =3.14 x 4²
• A = 3.14 x 16
• A = 50.24 ft²