Shapes

The shape can be defined as the boundary or outline of an object. It is the surface we see and does not depend on the size or the color of the object. Everything around us has a different shape, such as the square, rectangle, or three-dimensional sphere. Have you seen the model of the Earth called the globe? What is the shape of this globe? Have you noticed the shape of a pizza? It is round in shape. If we cut out a slice from the pizza, the slice gets a triangular shape. Let us learn all about shapes, types of shapes, and geometric shapes.

What are Shapes?

Shapes define the boundary of an object and can be differentiated in many ways based on their properties. These shapes are closed by a boundary which is made by combining the curves, points, and line segments. Each shape has a name depending upon the structure. Few shapes are circle, square, rectangle, triangle, and so on.

Types of Shapes

Shapes can be classified into various categories. Before classifying shapes further in separate structures the basis of each shape depends on the following classification:

• Open Shapes: Open shapes are not continuous and are made up of line segments or curves which do not meet. Letter C is an example of an open shape.
• Closed Shapes: Closed shapes can be traced without any break. They start and end in the same place. Letter D is an example of a closed shape.

Further, each shape is classified on the basis of dimensions it has. In this section, we will discuss the two major types of shapes:

• Two-dimensional (2D): 2D shapes, as the name suggests, have only two of these measurements, i.e., length and breadth.
• Three-dimensional (3D) shapes: 3D shapes have a length, a width, and a height. You can learn more about it here.

A square is a 2D shape, whereas, a cube is a 3D shape.

List of Shapes

We know that shapes are made of straight lines or curved lines and they can be open or closed. Lines are defined as a collection of points. In other words, many points are put together to form a line. They may form a straight line or a curved line. Shapes are closed shapes that are created by joining lines together. Closed shapes made of four straight lines are called quadrilateral shapes. Given Below is the list of shapes with real-world examples.

• Circle: A circle is a closed shape. It is categorized as a two-dimensional geometric shape that is round in structure. It does not have any lines or corners. For example, the wheel of a vehicle, pizza base, dartboard.
• Oval: An oval is an elongated shape slightly similar to a circle. It has no straight lines or corners. For example, the number zero (0).
• Square: A square is a closed 2-D shape that is formed by four sides. The length of each side is equal in measurement. For example, a chessboard and a carrom board.
• Triangle: A triangle is a shape with three sides and is categorized as a two-dimensional geometric shape. For example, the shape of tangy nachos, one slice of cheese burst pizza.
• Rectangle: A rectangle has four sides. It is a two-dimensional geometric shape in which the length of the opposite sides is equal. For example, laptop screen, touch screen mobile phones etc.
• Polygons: A polygon is a closed two-dimensional figure with three or more straight lines. For example, windows, doors.
• Cube: A cube is a closed three-dimensional geometric shape. It is made up of six squares. It has six faces. For example, a Rubik's cube, a ludo dice, an ice cube.
• Cuboid: A cuboid is another three-dimensional shape that is formed using rectangles. For example, a duster, a book, a pencil box.
• Sphere: A sphere is a solid shape that is similar to a ball. It is a closed three-dimensional shape formed using a circular base. For example, football, basketball, etc.
• Cylinder: A cylinder is a solid shape that has two flat ends of circular formation. It is a three-dimensional figure which is formed by folding a rectangle. For example, coldrink cans, pool noodles, water bottles.
• Cone: A cone is a solid three-dimensional geometric shape with a flat base. The base is circular in shape. It has a pointed edge at the top called the apex. For example, ice-cream cone, clown hat, etc.