Vertices and Sides (and Counting them)
Do you want to learn faster and more easily?
Basics on the topic Vertices and Sides (and Counting them)
Vertices and Sides
What are sides and vertices? Let's learn about vertices and sides of 2D shapes. We'll find out all about the vertices and sides of shapes and how to count them with the following explanation. Sides and vertices can be found in many shapes. A vertex, or corner, is the spot where lines join together. Vertices can face out or face in.
Sides are the straight lines that make the edge of a flat shape. Many shapes get their names from how many vertices and sides they have. Counting vertices and sides can help us work out what kind of shape we are looking at!
Counting Vertices and Sides
Let’s practice counting all of the vertices and sides on the shape below. Remember, a vertex is where two straight lines meet. So, this shape has three vertices!
A side is the straight line that makes the edge of a flat shape. So, this shape has three sides!
Vertices and Sides – Round Shapes
Does a circle have sides or vertices? No. A circle does not have any vertices or sides. Let’s look at this round shape as an example.
There are no straight lines in this shape. So, there is no place for any straight lines to meet! That means this shape has zero vertices. Since there are zero straight sides, this shape has no sides either!
Vertices and Sides – Summary
Remember these facts about vertices and sides:
| Fact # | |
|---|---|
| 1 | A vertex is the spot where straight lines join together. |
| 2 | A side is the straight line that makes the edge a flat shape. |
| 3 | Many shapes are made up of vertices and sides. |
| 4 | Counting vertices and sides can help us know which shape we are looking at. |
A vertex is the spot where straight lines join together.
A side is the straight line that makes the edge a flat shape.
Many shapes are made up of vertices and sides.
Counting vertices and sides can help us know which shape we are looking at.
Vertices and Sides – Further Practice
Do you now know the difference between sides and vertices? Continue to learn about shapes with sides and vertices with our interactive exercises and worksheets which can also be found on this website.
Vertices and Sides (and Counting them) exercise
-
Can you match the shape with the correct number of vertices and sides?
HintsHere are the vertices of this shape.
Here are the sides of this shape.
Remember:
- vertices, or corners, are the points where two sides join together.
- sides are the straight lines that form the edge of a flat shape.
Solution- Vertices, or corners, are the points where two sides join together.
- Sides are the straight lines that form the edge of a flat shape.
- The triangle has three vertices and three sides.
- The rectangle has four vertices and four sides.
- The hexagon has six vertices and six sides.
- The octagon has eight vertices and eight sides.
-
How many vertices and sides does each of these shapes have?
HintsRemember:
- sides are the straight edges that make a shape.
- vertices are the points where two sides meet.
Here we can see that this triangle has three vertices.
Here we can see that this triangle has three sides.
Solution- Vertices, or corners, are the points where two sides join together.
- Sides are the straight lines that form the edge of a flat shape.
- The yellow star has ten vertices and ten sides.
- The blue flag has five vertices and five sides.
- The purple shape has six vertices and six sides.
- The green square has four vertices and four sides.
-
Can you find the shapes?
HintsCount the number of vertices - the points where two sides meet.
Count the number of sides - the straight lines that form the edge of a flat shape.
SolutionHere we can see the correctly highlighted window.
Remember:
- Vertices, or corners, are the spots where two sides join together.
- Sides are the straight lines that form the edge of a flat shape.
-
Which group should the shapes be assigned to?
HintsCount the number of vertices - the points where two sides meet.
Count the number of sides - the straight lines that form the edge of the shape.
For example, this square has 4 vertices and 4 sides so would be assigned to the first group.
SolutionHere we can see which group each shape goes into.
Remember:
- Vertices, or corners, are the spots where two sides join together.
- Sides are the straight lines that form the edge of a flat shape.
-
Can you label the shape correctly?
HintsSides are the straight edges that form the shape.
A vertex is the point where two sides meet.
Solution- A vertex, or corner, is the spot where two sides join together.
- A side is the straight line that forms the edge of a flat shape.
-
Can you order the shapes?
HintsFind the shape with the fewest vertices and sides, and put this first.
Compare each shape to the one above it, and move it up or down so it is in the correct position.
You could make a note of how many vertices and sides each shape has, and then order them.
SolutionHere we can see how many sides and vertices each shape has.
- Orange triangle: 3 vertices and 3 sides
- Pink parallelogram: 4 vertices and 4 sides
- Green shape: 5 vertices and 5 sides
- Blue shape: 6 vertices and 6 sides
- Yellow shape: 7 vertices and 7 sides
- Red shape: 8 vertices and 8 sides
