GEOMETRY

Nets Of Solids

Learn the reliable method for nets of solids, then apply it to 11+ exam-style questions.

1 · WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The idea

A net shows the faces that meet when a three-dimensional solid is folded.

Picture itFold the six faces into a solid
2 · THE METHOD

Follow these steps

  1. Identify faces sharing an edge.
  2. Mentally fold one face at a time.
  3. Track which faces become adjacent or opposite without rotating labels independently.
3 · WORKED EXAMPLES

See the method in action

Example 1

The labelled net is folded into a cube. Which face is opposite A, and how many labelled faces are adjacent to A?

DBACEF
  1. First fold B, C, D and E around the four edges of A, so A has 4 adjacent faces.
  2. Then F closes the remaining side of the cube opposite A.
Answer: F; 4 adjacent faces
Example 2

First identify the four faces that would form the side belt. Then check the remaining two faces for closure and overlap. Which option folds into a cube?

A
B
C
D
E
  1. Trace four connected squares around the cube as its side belt, then fold the remaining two squares towards the uncovered faces.
  2. Only option A places all six squares on different cube faces; every other net overlaps or leaves a face uncovered.
Answer: A
4 · ELEVENSPRINT TIP

A useful shortcut

Track which faces become adjacent or opposite without rotating labels independently.

5 · COMMON MISTAKES

Watch out for these

6 · TRY IT YOURSELF

Three fresh questions

Ready to check the method? You will get three fresh, validated questions.