---
title: "2-D faces on 3-D shapes"
description: "Identify 2-D shapes on the surface of 3-D shapes (e.g. a circle on a cylinder, a triangle on a pyramid)"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/2-d-faces-on-3-d-shapes-mt_UooUHC_V7U
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/2-d-faces-on-3-d-shapes-mt_UooUHC_V7U.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# 2-D faces on 3-D shapes

Identify 2-D shapes on the surface of 3-D shapes (e.g. a circle on a cylinder, a triangle on a pyramid)

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Geometry · Ages 6 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/2-d-faces-on-3-d-shapes-mt_UooUHC_V7U

## Ready when they can

- Point out a circular face on a cylinder or cone
- Identify triangular faces on a pyramid
- Recognise that the faces of 3-D shapes are 2-D shapes

## Lesson: Flat shapes on solid shapes

Solid shapes like a cone or a pyramid have flat parts on the outside. Each flat part is called a face. Every face is a 2-D shape you already know, like a circle, a triangle, or a square.

*(drawing: A cylinder, like a can, has two flat ends. Each end is a circle.)*

**Example.** A cone, like an ice-cream cone, also has a flat circle face on the bottom. If you peel the paper off a can and lay it flat, the curved side turns into a rectangle.

**Example.** A pyramid has triangle faces on its sides. They meet at a point at the top. The bottom face can be a square.

**Tip.** To find a face, run your finger over a flat part of a solid shape until you reach an edge. Then look at the flat shape you traced.

**Recap.** Every face on a solid shape is a flat 2-D shape, like a circle, triangle, or square.

## Practice

18 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Flat vs Solid Shapes](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/flat-vs-solid-shapes-mt_mnEVZNkX3p)

## Opens up

- [Nets of 3-D Shapes](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/nets-of-3-d-shapes-mt_vnJEztczji)