Solving shape word problems
For word problems about shapes, use 4 steps:
- Understand — what does the question ask?
- Plan — which shape fact will help? (sides, faces, symmetry)
- Solve — do the counting or working.
- Check — is the answer sensible?
Worked example
Aina draws a regular polygon. It has 8 equal sides. How many corners does it have? Understand: we need the number of corners. Plan: a polygon has the same number of corners as sides. Solve: 8 sides means 8 corners. Check: corners = sides, so 8 is correct.
Worked example
A window is shaped like a rectangle. How many lines of symmetry does it have? A rectangle folds to match top-to-bottom and left-to-right, so it has 2 lines of symmetry.
Remember
- Read carefully and picture the shape.
- Use the shape rule you know, then check your answer.