2D shapes and their properties

There are 152 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to 2D shapes and their properties

problem

Favourite

Approximating pi

Age

14 to 18

Challenge level

By inscribing a circle in a square and then a square in a circle find an approximation to pi. By using a hexagon, can you improve on the approximation?

problem

Favourite

Semi-detached

Age

14 to 16

Challenge level

A square of area 40 square cms is inscribed in a semicircle. Find the area of the square that could be inscribed in a circle of the same radius.

problem

Favourite

Property chart

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

A game in which players take it in turns to try to draw quadrilaterals (or triangles) with particular properties. Is it possible to fill the game grid?

problem

Favourite

Shapely lines

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

This challenge invites you to create your own picture using just straight lines. Can you identify shapes with the same number of sides and decorate them in the same way?

problem

Favourite

Let us reflect

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Where can you put the mirror across the square so that you can still "see" the whole square? How many different positions are possible?

problem

Favourite

Sorting logic blocks

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

This activity focuses on similarities and differences between shapes.

problem

Favourite

Shaping it

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

These pictures were made by starting with a square, finding the half-way point on each side and joining those points up. You could investigate your own starting shape.

problem

Favourite

Overlapping again

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

What shape is the overlap when you slide one of these shapes half way across another? Can you picture it in your head? Use the interactivity to check your visualisation.

problem

Favourite

Opposite vertices

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Can you recreate squares and rhombuses if you are only given a side or a diagonal?

problem

Favourite

Seeing squares

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Players take it in turns to choose a dot on the grid. The winner is the first to have four dots that can be joined to form a square.

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For younger learners

2D shapes and their properties

Approximating pi

Semi-detached

Property chart

Shapely lines

Let us reflect

Sorting logic blocks

Shaping it

Overlapping again

Opposite vertices

Seeing squares