When a geometric plane slices a prism so that the cut is parallel to the plane of the base, the cross section will have the shape of the base. So, in the case of a right rectangular prism, the cross section is a rectangle.

rectangle

If slicing a plane through a right rectangular prism so that the slice meets the three faces of the prism, the resulting slice is in the shape of a triangle; if the slice meets four faces, the resulting slice is in the shape of a quadrilateral.

The cross section is a rectangle. Note that not all cross sections of a rectangular prism are rectangles. Figure 4 shows the cross section of a right rectangular pyramid parallel to its base. The cross section is a rectangle.

A rectangular pyramid is sliced by a plane parallel to its base. Describe the cross section. The cross section will always be a rectangle. The closer the plane is to the base, the bigger the rectangle.

If we slice the vertically the rectangular pyramid, we get a triangle with the base equal to the one of the dimensions of the rectangle, most probably the width. The height of the triangle, however, is dependent as to how far from the center is the slice cut off. Thus, the answer is same shape but of different sizes.

Slicing 3-D Figures Parallel cuts will take the shape of the base. Perpendicular cuts will take the shape of the lateral face. Cuts made at an angle through the right rectangular prism or pyramid will produce a parallelogram.

• 1 Perfume Bottles. Fragrances often come in pyramidal glass bottles.
• 2 Paperweights. Paperweights are decorative objects that come in glass, ceramic and hard plastic forms.
• 3 Cafe Umbrellas. Some cafe table umbrellas are pyramidal in shape.
• 4 Christmas Decorations.
• 5 Cheese.