Download Article

Download Article

Rectangular prisms are 3-dimentianal model that have vi rectangular faces, with three sets of two congruent sides. To illustrate the concept in more concrete terms, y'all can make a elementary model of a rectangular prism using construction paper or cubic blocks.

  1. ane

    Review the dimensions. Before building a rectangular prism, you will demand to know the desired length, width, and height of that prism. Write those dimensions down and refer to them throughout the process.

    • Example: Consider the steps you'll need to follow when amalgam a rectangular prism with a length of 6 inches (15 cm), a width of iv inches (x cm), and a height of 3 inches (7.6 cm).

  2. 2

    Measure and cut two length by width rectangles. On a sheet of heavy construction paper, use a ruler and pencil to describe two rectangles. The length of each rectangle should match the length of the last prism, and the width of the two rectangles should match the width of the final prism.[1]

    • After drawing both rectangles, utilize the ruler to measure out them again. Both rectangles must be equal in size and must accurately match the length and width of the rectangular prism yous wish to create.
    • Once you are certain that both rectangles are the correct length and width, cut them out with sharp pair of scissors.
    • Note that these two rectangles will grade the top and bottom of your rectangular prism.
    • Example: Measure and cut 2 rectangles, each with a length of 6 inches (15 cm) and a width of 4 inches (10 cm).

    Advertisement

  3. three

    Measure and cut ii length by superlative rectangles. Apply a ruler and pencil to draw two more rectangles from heavy construction paper. The length of these rectangles should match the length of the rectangular prism, but the width of these rectangles will need to match the tiptop of the final rectangular prism.[2]

    • Re-measure out the 2 rectangles after drawing them to cheque for accurateness, then use sharp scissors to cut both of them out.
    • These two rectangles volition eventually form the forepart and back of your rectangular prism.
    • Example: Measure and cut 2 rectangles, each with a length of 6 inches (15 cm) and a width of iii inches (7.vi cm).

  4. 4

    Measure out and cut ii width by height rectangles. Sketch 2 more rectangles on heavy construction paper using a ruler and pencil. The length of each rectangle should match the width of the rectangular prism, and the width of each rectangle should match the acme of your rectangular prism.[iii]

    • After drawing both rectangles, measure them again to cheque for accuracy before cut them both out with scissors.
    • These 2 final rectangles will form the left and right sides of the rectangular prism.
    • Example: Measure and cut two rectangles, each with a length of 4 inches (x cm) and a width of 3 inches (seven.6 cm).

  5. 5

    Loosely tape four rectangles into a strip. Line up the length-by-width rectangles and the length-by-height rectangles, alternating dorsum and forth between the 2 types. Tape the length sides together on one side of the paper.[4]

    • The newspaper rectangles should be lined upward in the following order: length-by-width, length-by-height, length-by-width, length-by-pinnacle. Do not place identical rectangles next to i some other.
    • Note that the rectangles should exist lined up then that their length sides prevarication straight next to the length side of the adjacent rectangle.
    • Apply 1 to two strips of tape to each shared edge. When finished, all 4 rectangles should exist taped together into 1 strip.
    • Example: Alternate the half dozen-inch by iv-inch (fifteen-cm past 10-cm) rectangles with the 6-inch past 3-inch (xv-cm by vii.6-cm) rectangles, matching the half-dozen-inch (15-cm) sides together. Tape the half dozen-inch (fifteen-cm) sides in place.

  6. 6

    Join the ends of the strip. Fold the strip and so that the 2 unattached length-side ends meet. Utilize one or two pieces of tape to hold these two ends together.

    • As you fold, make sure that the strip is folding at the edges between separate rectangular faces. Yous may demand to utilise your thumbnail to crease the record in betwixt these edges, making it easier to fold.
    • When done, yous should accept something that looks like a rectangular tube. The prism shape is almost complete, but two sides are nonetheless missing at this bespeak.
    • Case: Fold up the strip and tape together the two loose half-dozen-inch (15-cm) sides.

  7. seven

    Attach the remaining two rectangles. Position the two remaining rectangles over the two open ends of the shape. Utilize tape to attach all four sides of each rectangle to the matching sides of the rectangular prism.

    • Make sure that the height side of each rectangle matches the peak side of the prism. Too, the width side of each rectangle must friction match the width side of the prism.
    • First by taping ane side of each rectangle in identify, so record the opposite side. The paper should already stay in place at that point, but taping the remaining 2 sides volition provide greater security.
    • Example: Position the four-inch (10-cm) sides of 1 rectangle against the 4-inch (10-cm) sides of the rectangular prism. The 3-inch (7.6-cm) sides should naturally lucifer upward, as well. Record the rectangle in identify, then repeat with the remaining rectangle.

  8. 8

    Measure the sides of the finished product. Utilise a ruler to mensurate all sides of the finished shape. The length, width, and height dimensions should each friction match the required dimensions yous needed to fulfill.

    • At this betoken, the rectangular prism is complete.
    • Example: The final rectangular prism should have a length of vi inches (15 cm), a width of 4 inches (x cm), and a meridian of 3 inches (7.6 cm).

    Advertisement

  1. ane

    Review the required dimensions. You'll need to know the required length, width, and height of the desired rectangular prism before y'all can build it. Review these dimensions now and refer to them throughout the structure procedure.[5]

    • For the sake of simplicity, it might be easiest to work in generic "cubic units" instead of inches or other specific measurements. If you practise wish to work in specific inches, you volition need to apply blocks that mensurate 1-inch (2.5-cm) on all sides. Square dice measuring 1 inch (two.5 cm) on all sides can be a adept option.
    • Example: Consider the steps you'll need to follow to construct a rectangular prism with a length of 4 cubic units, a width of 3 cubic units, and a height of ii cubic units.

  2. two

    Gather enough blocks. The number of blocks you'll need will lucifer the book of the last rectangular prism. To find the volume of the rectangular prism, you will need to multiply the length, width, and height together.[six]

    • Notation that yous must employ cubic blocks with equal lengths, widths, and heights. Practice not use blocks of any other shape.
    • If desired, you can utilize a small strip of double-sided tape or another temporary adhesive to all faces of all blocks. Doing and so is non strictly necessary but may make information technology easier to build the final rectangular prism.
    • Example: To summate the book of this rectangular prism, multiply: 4 * iii * ii = 24
      • This signifies that you will need 24 blocks to build this detail rectangular prism.

  3. 3

    Create a line of blocks to lucifer the length. Line up enough blocks to lucifer the number of cubic units required for the length of the rectangular prism. Keep the line as even as possible.

    • Instance: Line upwardly four blocks in an even row.

  4. iv

    Create a second line to lucifer the width. Starting from the end of your length line, build a 2d line of blocks that matches the number of cubic units required for the width of your rectangular prism.

    • The total number of blocks in this width border must match the width of the final prism. This will include the first cake already included in the length line. In other words, the number of blocks you will add to the structure during this stride will be one fewer than the number of cubic units making up the width of the rectangular prism.
    • Example: Line upwardly two more blocks off 1 corner of your original line, creating a new perpendicular line containing iii blocks full.

  5. five

    Complete the rectangle. Construct some other length and width edge to mirror and match the first two. Fill up in the rectangular outline with equally many blocks every bit needed to brand the rectangle solid.[7]

    • Count to make sure that the length and width edges match the required length and width of the rectangular prism.
    • Y'all should also count the total number of blocks used for this outset rectangular surface. The full number of blocks should match the surface expanse of the face, which can be calculated by multiplying the length by the width.
    • Example: Build some other four-block length border off the end of the first width edge, and then build some other 3-block width border between the other cease of the ii length edges. Fill in the space between with two more blocks.
      • Calculate the area by multiplying: 4 * 3 = 12
      • Count the full number of blocks in this rectangle. In that location should be 12 blocks total.

  6. six

    Stack enough blocks to match the height. Starting at one corner of the completed rectangular base of operations, stack enough blocks to equal the required peak in cubic units for the desired rectangular prism.[8]

    • As yous count the number of blocks in this stack, brand certain that you lot count the bottom block already included in the completed base of operations. The total number of blocks in this stack must equal the total number of cubic units in the elevation of the prism, and then the number of blocks you lot'll add will actually be one fewer than the number of cubic units required for the height of the prism.
    • Case: Place one cake on pinnacle of one corner block of your existing rectangle. This should set a height of ii blocks (cubic units).

  7. 7

    Repeat over the unabridged rectangle. Build similar stacks of blocks on elevation of each cake in the completed rectangular base of operations. The number of blocks in each of these stacks must lucifer the number of blocks in your first stack and the required height of the rectangular prism.

    • When finished, you should not accept any excess blocks left behind.
    • Case: Place i block on top of each of the remaining 11 blocks in your original rectangle. This should utilize upwards the remainder of your original 24 blocks.

  8. 8

    Count the blocks to mensurate the sides. Measure the sides by counting the number of blocks making up the length, width, and superlative of the rectangular prism. The blocks making upward these sides must match the number of required cubic units for each side of the intended prism.

    • Note that you can as well use these block counts to summate the surface expanse of each visible face. To calculate surface area, you simply need to multiply the length and width of any face.
    • The volume of the rectangular prism can be calculated, as well, past multiplying the number of blocks making up the length, width, and elevation of the prism. The volume of the rectangular prism in cubic units should match the number of blocks used to construct the prism.
    • Case: The length of the rectangular prism should contain iv blocks, the width should contain three blocks, and the top should comprise ii blocks.
      • To calculate the surface expanse of the front and dorsum faces, multiply: four * 2 = 8 units
      • To summate the surface surface area of the tiptop and bottom faces, multiply: four * three = 12 units
      • To calculate the surface area of the right and left faces, multiply: iii * ii = 6 units
      • To calculate the total book of the rectangular prism, multiply: four * three * ii = 24 cubic units

    Advert

Inquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Cheers for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

  • Heavy construction newspaper
  • Tape
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Cubic blocks
  • Double-sided tape (optional)

References

About This Article

Thank you to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,672 times.

Did this article assist yous?