Cross Section
Cross Section – Explore 2D Shapes Inside 3D Solids
What shapes can you find inside a cube? A cross-section is the two-dimensional shape formed when a plane cuts through a three-dimensional solid. Depending on the cut, a cube can reveal a triangle, square, rectangle, or even a hexagon.
This free interactive geometry manipulative lets students explore cross-sections of a cube, cylinder, cone, sphere, and pyramid. It helps connect 2D shapes with 3D solids while encouraging prediction, observation, and spatial reasoning.
How to Use Cross Section
Choose a solid from the buttons on the left. Drag the solid to rotate your view, then use the sliders to tilt, turn, and move the cutting plane. The resulting cross-section appears below the solid with its shape name. Try the Horizontal, Vertical, and Corner buttons to compare different cuts.
For a classroom challenge, ask students to predict the shape before moving the plane. Can they make a triangle inside a cube or compare the cross-sections of a cone and a cylinder?
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