How to explain sort three-dimensional shapes in 3d shapes to your student: Example question
31 October 2026
Sorting three-dimensional shapes helps children spot important differences between objects. By focusing on features like curved or flat faces, your child can quickly see how shapes are grouped in maths questions.
Example question
Sort these shapes into two groups:
A cube, a cylinder, a pyramid, and a sphere.
Step 1: Look at each shape and check if it has a curved surface.
Step 2: Put shapes with curved surfaces (cylinder, sphere) into Group 1.
Step 3: Put shapes with only flat faces (cube, pyramid) into Group 2.
The answer is:
Group 1 (curved surfaces): cylinder, sphere
Group 2 (only flat faces): cube, pyramid.
After working through this example, your child will be able to recognise and sort 3D shapes by their surfaces. Similar sorting questions are ready for them to practise, building confidence for the 11+ exam.
