Math · Topic 4 of 65

Geometry Shapes

Shapes have sides and corners. A triangle has 3 sides, a square has 4 equal sides and a hexagon has 6 sides.

💡 Fun fact

Honeybees build hexagon-shaped cells because they fit together perfectly.

All about Geometry Shapes

Shapes are described by their sides, corners and angles. A triangle has three sides and three corners. A square has four equal sides and four right angles. A hexagon has six sides.

Flat shapes are called two-dimensional, or 2D, shapes. Their names come from the number of sides, such as pentagon (5), hexagon (6) and octagon (8). Learning these names helps you describe and sort shapes around you.

🎮 Try it yourself!

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Real-life uses of Geometry Shapes

Recognising road signs, such as the octagon of a stop sign
Designing tiles, quilts and logos
Describing a shape so a friend can draw it

Frequently asked questions about Geometry Shapes

What is the difference between a square and a rectangle?

A square has four equal sides and four right angles. A rectangle has four right angles, but only opposite sides are equal.

How many sides does a hexagon have?

A hexagon has six sides and six corners.

What is a polygon?

Any closed flat shape made from straight sides. Triangles, squares and hexagons are all polygons.