Geometry
Cuboids – Rectangular Boxes
A cuboid (also called a rectangular prism) is a solid with 6 rectangular faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices – the same counts as a cube, but without the requirement that every face be an identical square. In a cuboid, opposite faces are equal in size, but the length, width, and height can all be different from one another.
Every cube is technically a special case of a cuboid – one where length, width, and height all happen to be equal – in exactly the same way a square is a special case of a rectangle. This relationship mirrors the square/rectangle relationship you learned in 2D geometry.
Properties of a Cuboid
A cuboid has 6 rectangular faces (opposite faces equal), 12 edges, and 8 vertices. A cube is a special cuboid where all edges are equal.
No – a cuboid's faces are rectangles, which only need to be squares in the special case of a cube.
Real-Life Application
- Shipping boxes: most cardboard boxes and shipping containers are cuboids.
- Bricks: standard building bricks are cuboid-shaped.
- Books: a closed book is roughly a cuboid.
Key Takeaways
- A cuboid has 6 rectangular faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices.
- Opposite faces of a cuboid are equal in size.
- A cube is a special cuboid where length, width, and height are all equal.