MathIsimple
Lesson 4-2

Shape Building & Combining

Learn how to combine 2D and 3D shapes to create new shapes and structures

2D Shape Building3D Shape BuildingSpatial ReasoningCreative Construction
Start LearningBack to Unit 4

Key Concepts

Master the fundamentals of shape building and combination

2D Shape Combination

Combining flat shapes to create new 2D shapes. Understanding how shapes fit together to form larger patterns.

Examples:

Two triangles can make a square
Four squares can make a larger square
Two rectangles can make a longer rectangle
Triangles and rectangles can make a house shape

3D Shape Building

Using 3D shapes like cubes, cylinders, and spheres to build structures and objects.

Examples:

Cubes can stack to make towers
Cylinders can be legs for a table
Spheres can be wheels for a car
Different shapes can combine to make buildings

Spatial Reasoning

Understanding how shapes fit together in space and visualizing the final result before building.

Examples:

Planning where each piece goes
Understanding which shapes connect
Visualizing the completed structure
Problem-solving when pieces don't fit

Interactive Practice

Practice shape building and combination with interactive activities

House Building Challenge

Use triangles and rectangles to build a house shape.

Activity: Drag shapes to create a house with a triangular roof and rectangular walls

Train Construction

Build a train using cubes and cylinders.

Activity: Arrange cubes for train cars and cylinders for wheels to create a complete train

Creative Building

Use any shapes to create your own unique structure.

Activity: Combine different 2D and 3D shapes to build something creative

Example Library

See step-by-step examples of shape building and combination

Building a House with 2D Shapes

Problem:

Combine triangles and rectangles to make a house

Solution:

Use 1 rectangle for the house body and 1 triangle for the roof

Steps:

  1. 1Place a rectangle on the bottom for the house walls
  2. 2Place a triangle on top of the rectangle for the roof
  3. 3Make sure the triangle's base matches the rectangle's top
  4. 4The result is a house shape made from two basic shapes

Visual:

House shape made from rectangle (walls) and triangle (roof)

Building a Train with 3D Shapes

Problem:

Use cubes and cylinders to build a train

Solution:

Use 3 cubes for train cars and 4 cylinders for wheels

Steps:

  1. 1Place three cubes in a row for the train cars
  2. 2Add two cylinders under the first cube for front wheels
  3. 3Add two cylinders under the last cube for back wheels
  4. 4The result is a train made from cubes and cylinders

Visual:

Train made from 3 cubes (cars) and 4 cylinders (wheels)

Making a Square from Triangles

Problem:

Combine two triangles to make a square

Solution:

Two right triangles can be combined to form a square

Steps:

  1. 1Take two identical right triangles
  2. 2Place them so their longest sides (hypotenuses) touch
  3. 3Arrange them so they form four right angles
  4. 4The result is a square made from two triangles

Visual:

Square made from two right triangles placed together

Building a Table with 3D Shapes

Problem:

Use a cube and cylinders to make a table

Solution:

Use 1 cube for the tabletop and 4 cylinders for the legs

Steps:

  1. 1Place a cube on top for the table surface
  2. 2Add one cylinder under each corner of the cube
  3. 3Make sure all four cylinders are the same height
  4. 4The result is a table made from 1 cube and 4 cylinders

Visual:

Table made from 1 cube (top) and 4 cylinders (legs)

Previous Lesson
Lesson 4-2 Complete
Next Lesson