Topic 6 of 7
Naming circles, squares, and triangles
Step 1 · Counting and shapes topics
Know circles, squares and triangles by their sides and corners, whatever their size and whichever way they are turned.
Circles, squares, and triangles
Three shapes come up everywhere. A circle is perfectly round, like a plate. A square has four straight sides that are all the same length, like a cracker. A triangle has three straight sides, like a slice of pizza.
Sides and corners
A side is a straight edge. A corner is where two sides meet. Count them to know the shape.
| Shape | Straight sides | Corners |
|---|---|---|
| circle | 0 | 0 |
| triangle | 3 | 3 |
| square | 4 | 4 |
A square's four sides are all the same length. A rectangle also has four sides and four square corners, but two of its sides are longer than the other two.
Any size, any way round
A shape keeps its name when it gets bigger or smaller, or when it is turned. A triangle standing on its point is still a triangle: it still has three sides and three corners.
Try it yourself
Work each one on paper first, then open the answer to check.
How many sides does a triangle have?
Show answer
3.
How many corners does a circle have?
Show answer
None. A circle is round all the way.
A shape has 4 sides, all the same length. What is it?
Show answer
A square.
A triangle is turned upside down. Is it still a triangle?
Show answer
Yes. It still has 3 sides and 3 corners.
How many sides do 2 squares have altogether?
Show answer
8, because each square has 4.