Now, let’s get weird. Did you know that a square pyramid looks like a triangle if you squint? But a triangle has only 3 vertices—we have 5. So nope.
What about a cube? A cube has 8 vertices and 12 edges. That’s too many of both. Our shape is leaner, meaner, and more mysterious.
Also: the top vertex (the apex) is a total loner. All the bottom vertices are connected to three edges each. But the apex touches four edges—one to each corner of the square. It’s the social butterfly of the shape.
Funny Math Fact: It’s a Polyhedron Family Drama
All polyhedra follow a secret rule called Euler’s formula: Vertices minus Edges plus Faces equals 2. Let’s test it with our shape: 5 vertices – 8 edges + 5 faces (the square base + 4 triangles) = 2. It works! Euler would be so proud.
If this formula didn’t work, the shape would be a monster from a math horror movie. “The Blob with 5 Vertices and 8 Edges—And a Bad Attitude!”
But our shape is a good guy. It’s the shape of a pyramid, the shape of a wizard’s hat if the hat had a square brim. It’s the shape of a party hat you’d wear on New Year’s Eve—just don’t poke your eye out on the apex.
Square Based Pyramid 3D Shape Properties at Noah Marryat blog
