Right Tri Prism
Figure Three
Right Triangular Prism
Dimensions: Base 3’ x 4’ x 5’ Height = 8’
Net Sketch on Paper (not shown)
Let each foot be 1 centimeter in your physical model.
Triangular Base Construction
- Draw a 5 cm segment in the middle of your paper.
- Use your compass to make a 3 cm arc from point A.
- Use your compass to make a 4 cm arc from point B.
- Label the intersection point C and connect to points A and B.
Lateral Faces
- Use a 3x5 card to extend 2 rays from each vertex. Each ray will be perpendicular to one of the edges of the triangle.
- Measure an 8 cm segment on each of the rays and connect to form rectangles.
- Top Face
- Construct another right triangle at the edge of one of the lateral faces.
- It is easiest to place it at the opposite end of the 5 x 8 rectangle.
- When you are done, cut out the net and fold as necessary.
- Do not glue or tape the edges together unless your teacher tells you to.
Net Construction in SketchUp
Surface Area
- Trace the net onto a clean sheet of paper
- Copy the dimensions as necessary
- Calculate the area of each face
- Record the Lateral Surface Area and the Total Surface Area on your paper with comments to explain your work.
Volume
- Examine the folded net and estimate how many cubic centimeters will be contained in your prism. Use actual cubes to help you think.
- Questions you might ask:
- How many 1x1 squares cover the base?
- How high would a tower of 1x1 cubes need to be to match the height of this prism?
- Find the volume