What is a Prism?

A prism is a solid figure with parallel and congruent bases that are polygons
The bases are in parallel planes, which are similar to parallel lines
In the middle figure, the shaded 5-sided closed figure is a polygon called a pentagon
A second pentagon of the exact same size as the first is parallel to it
The two pentagons are the bases of the middle prism
A prism is named by the shape of its bases
In the left solid, the triangles are congruent and parallel, so the prism has triangular bases
The last solid has two congruent and parallel rectangles, so the prism has rectangular bases

1. A polygon is a closed figure with three or more sides that are line segments
2. So the edges of the bases must be straight, not curved
3. If you extend the edges of the two bases out forever, they will never touch each other
4. The bases are in parallel planes, which are similar to parallel lines in that they never intersect
5. Congruent means the bases are the exact same size and shape
1. There are two polygons which are identical and parallel to each other
2. These two polygons are the bases of the prism
3. Remember, a polygon is a closed figure with three or more sides that are line segments
4. So the edges of the bases must be straight, not curved
1. The bases in the middle prism are 5-sided, closed 2-dimensional figures
2. So the bases are types of polygons called pentagons
3. Since the bases are congruent and parallel pentagons, this is called a 'pentagonal prism'
1. Each prism has a different shaped polygon base
2. So each prism has a different name
3. A prism with two bases that are triangles is called a 'triangular prism'
4. A prism with two bases that are rectangles is called a 'rectangular prism'

What is a prism?