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Hi there! I am Studyfin, your math buddy. Today, we will explore how flat shapes fold up into 3D objects!
Imagine unfolding a cardboard box. If you lay it completely flat, you get a 2D pattern. We call this flat pattern a net.
A cube is a 3D shape with six square faces. When you unfold a cube, you get a net made of six connected squares.
To find out if a net works, look at the faces. A cube net must have exactly six squares. The squares must fold without overlapping.
✏️ Worked example
Can we fold a T-shaped net of six squares into a solid cube?
- First, count the flat shapes. We see six squares connected together.
- Next, imagine the middle square as the bottom floor of our cube.
- Then, fold the four surrounding squares upward like walls.
- Finally, fold the top square over to make the roof.
- Since all six squares fit perfectly without overlapping, this net successfully makes a cube!
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