Recognizing three-dimensional figures in the real world requires the ability to see parts of a figure. Think about the type of cross-section created if the figure is sliced by a plane.

Visit this website and follow the directions below to explore cross sections of different solids.

1. Select the first solid.
2. Move the slider and observe the cross section to the right of the solid.
3. Click on the solid to change the view of the solid.
4. Write down your observations in your notes.
5. Select a different solid and repeat until all the solids have been viewed.

From your observations of cross sections find the cross sections of the following:

• A cylindrical piece of cheese
  
  Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

  Check your answer

  
  A cylinder can have cross-sections of circle or rectangle.
  
  
• A cone
  
  Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

  Check your answer

  
  A cone (without the ice cream) can have cross-sections of a point, circle, oval (ellipse), triangle, parabola, or hyperbola but you'll study these in Algebra II.
  
  
• A sphere
  
  Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

  Check your answer

  
  A sphere only has a cross-section of a circle or a single point.