Triangular Prism

Last Updated : 22 Apr, 2024

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Triangular Prism is a three-dimensional geometric shape with two

identical triangular faces connected by three rectangular faces. It is one of
the classifications of prism. It is named a triangular prism because it has a
triangle across its cross-section.
This article covers the meaning of prism and triangular prism, the
properties of the prism, the formula of a triangular prism, and the net of a
triangular prism. We will also see the types of triangular prism on the
basis of uniformity and alignment and verify Euler’s rule for triangular
prism.
Table of Content
 What is Prism?
 What is a Triangular Prism?
 Types of Triangular Prism
 Triangular Prism Faces Edges Vertices
 Surface Area of a Triangular Prism
 Volume of Triangular Prism
What is Prism?
A prism is a specific type of polyhedron that features identical polygons at
both its top and bottom. The remaining faces of a prism are referred to as
lateral faces, and these faces share the same shape throughout their
length.
They are often named according to the shape of their cross-sections. For
instance, a triangular prism has a triangle cross-section a hexagonal
prism resembles a metallic nut, and a rectangular prism has a similarity to
a fish tank.
What is a Triangular Prism?
A triangular prism is a three-dimensional shape characterized by two
identical triangular faces connected by three rectangular faces. These
rectangular faces are called lateral faces, and the triangular faces are
known as bases, which can also be referred to as the top and bottom
faces of the prism.
To describe its dimensions, we use parameters such as the length of the
prism l, the height of the triangular base h, and the length of the bottom
edge of the triangular base b.
 Triangular Prism

Charecterstics of Triangular Prism

Some of the key characteristics of triangular prism are:
 Faces: A triangular prism has five faces in total. Two of these faces
are triangular, forming the bases of the prism, while the other three are
rectangular or parallelogram-shaped, connecting the corresponding
sides of the two triangles.
 Edges: A triangular prism has six edges. Each triangular base has
three edges, and there are three additional edges connecting the
corresponding vertices of the two bases.
 Vertices: There are six vertices (corner points) in a triangular prism.
Each triangular base has three vertices, and there are three additional
vertices where the edges meet.
 Symmetry: A triangular prism exhibits symmetry along its axis
perpendicular to the triangular bases. This means that if you rotate the
prism around this axis by 180 degrees, it will look the same.
 Cross-sectional Shapes: If you were to slice a triangular prism
perpendicular to its length, the cross-sectional shape would always be
a triangle.
Examples of Triangular Prism
Some examples of triangular prism include:
 Tents
 Cheese
 Glass Triangular Prism for practical
Types of Triangular Prism
The types of triangular prism are divided on the two basis;
 On the basis of uniformity (regular prism and irregular prism) and
 On the basis of alignment (right prism and oblique prism).
Let’s discuss these classification in detail.
Triangular Prism on the Basis of Uniformity
On the basis of uniformity, the triangular prism is divided into two:
 Regular triangular Prism
 Irregular triangular Prism
Regular Triangular Prism
A regular triangular prism is a three-dimensional shape where both
triangular bases are regular triangles.
A regular triangle is a type of triangle where all sides are equal, and the
angles between these sides measure 60°. Also, the lateral faces, or the
sides, of the regular triangular prism take the form of rectangles.
Irregular Triangular Prism
An irregular triangular prism is a three-dimensional figure that deviates
from this regularity.
In an irregular triangular prism, at least one of the triangular bases is not
an equilateral triangle. This means that the sides of the base triangle in an
irregular triangular prism may have different lengths, and the angles
between these sides are not fixed at 60°.
Triangular Prism on the Basis of Alignment
On the basis of alignment, the triangular prism is divided into two:
 Right triangular Prism
 Oblique triangular Prism
Right Triangular Prism
A right triangular prism is a specific type of prism where the angle formed
between the edges of the triangular bases and the edges of the
rectangular faces is precisely 90°.
This means that the triangular bases meet the rectangular faces at right
angles. All other properties of triangular prisms, such as the number of
faces, edges, and vertices, remain the same for a right triangular prism.
Oblique Triangular Prism
An oblique triangular prism differs in that its lateral faces are not
perpendicular to its bases. In this type of prism, each lateral face takes the
shape of a parallelogram. This implies that the angles between the lateral
faces and the bases are not necessarily 90 degrees.
In essence, an oblique triangular prism doesn’t have the strict right-angle
alignment between its triangular ends and its rectangular sides. Instead,
the lateral faces form parallelograms, allowing for more flexibility in the
geometric configuration of the prism.
Other Types of Prism
 Rectangular Prism
 Pentagonal Prism
 Square Prism
 Hexagonal Prism
Triangular Prism Faces Edges Vertices
Parts of a Triangular Prism Numbers

Face of a Triangular Prism 5

Edge of a Triangular Prism 9

Vertex of a Triangular Prism 6

Properties of Triangular Prism

A triangular prism is easily identifiable by its key characteristics. Here are
the important properties explained in neutral language:
 Number of Faces: A triangular prism has five faces. These include two
triangular bases and three rectangular sides.
 Number of Edges: It possesses nine edges, that representing the
lines where the faces meet.
 Number of Vertices: A triangular prism has six vertices.
 Polyhedral Nature: It falls under the category of Polyhedra, that
specifically characterized by two triangular bases and three rectangular
sides.
 Base Shape: The base of a triangular prism is in the shape of a
triangle.
 Side Shape: The sides are in the shape of rectangles, providing a
consistent structure along the length of the prism.
 Equilateral Triangular Bases: The two triangular bases are
equilateral triangles, meaning all sides of these triangles are of equal
length.
 Cross-Section Shape: Any cross-section of triangular prism results in
the shape of a triangle.
 Congruent Bases: The two triangular bases are identical to each
other that implies their congruence
Triangular Prism Net
The net of a triangular prism is like a blueprint that unfolds the surface of
the prism. By folding this net, you can recreate the original triangular
prism.
The net illustrates that the prism has triangular bases and rectangular
lateral faces. In simpler terms, it’s a visual guide that shows how the prism
can be assembled from a flat, folded shape.
 Triangular Prism Net

Surface Area of a Triangular Prism

The Surface Area of a Triangular Prism is divided into two parts Lateral
Surface Area and Total Surface Area
Lateral Surface Area (LSA) of a Triangular Prism:
The lateral surface area (LSA) of a triangular prism is the total area of all
its sides excluding the top and bottom faces. The formula to calculate the
lateral surface area is given by:
Lateral Surface Area (LSA) = (s1 + s2 + h)L
Here, s1, s2, and s3 are the lengths of the edges of the base triangle, and
L is the length of the prism.
For a right triangular prism, the formula is:
Lateral Surface Area = (s1 + s2 + h)L
OR
Lateral Surface Area = Perimeter × Length
Here, (h) represents the height of the base triangle, (L) is the length of the
prism, and s1 and s2 are the two edges of the base triangle.
Total Surface Area (TSA) of a Triangular Prism
The total surface area (TSA) of a triangular prism is found by adding the
area of its lateral surface (the sides) and twice the area of one of its
triangular bases. For a right triangular prism, where one of the bases is a
right-angled triangle, the formula for the total surface area is given by:
Total Surface Area (TSA) = (b × h) + (s 1 + s2 + s3) L
Here, s1, s2, and s3 are the edges of the triangular base, (h) is the height
of the base triangle, (l) is the length of the prism, and (b) is the bottom
edge of the base triangle.
For a right triangular prism specifically, the formula simplifies to:
Total Surface Area = (s1 + s2 + h) L + b × h
Where,
 b is the bottom edge of the base triangle.
 h is the height of the base triangle.
 L is the length of the prism.
 s1 and s2 represent the two edges of the base triangle.
 bh represents the combined area of the two triangular faces.
 (s1 + s2 + h) L represents the combined area of the three rectangular
side faces.
This formula essentially accounts for the areas of all the faces
(rectangular and triangular) of the prism, providing a comprehensive
measure of its total surface area.
Volume of Triangular Prism
The volume of triangular prism refers to the amount of space it occupies in
the three-dimensional space. The formula to compute the volume of
triangular prism is expressed as:
Volume (V) = 1/2 × base edge × height of the triangle × length of the
prism
Where,
 base edge b: This is the length of one of the edges forming the base
triangle.
 height of the triangle h: It represents the perpendicular distance from
the base to the opposite vertex, forming the triangle.
 length of the prism l: This indicates the overall length of the prism
along its axis.
By using these values in the formula, one can calculate the volume of the
triangular prism.
Also Read:
 Volume of Triangular Prism
Euler’s Formula for Triangular Prism
Euler’s formula states that in any polyhedron, the sum of the number of
faces (F) and vertices (V) is equal to two more than the number of edges
(E).
Consider a triangular prism. Euler’s formula, which relates the number of
faces F, vertices V, and edges E of a polyhedron, is given by:
 F+V=E+2
Now, for the triangular prism:
 The number of faces F is 5.
 The number of vertices V is 6.
 The number of edges E is 9.
Substituting these values into Euler’s formula:
5+6=9+2
This simplifies to:
11 = 11
The result confirms that Euler’s formula is true for the given triangular
prism, validating the relationship between the number of faces, vertices,
and edges.
Also, Check
 Volume of square Prism
 Volume of Rectangular prism
Triangular Prism – Solved Examples
Example 1. Consider a triangular prism with a base edge of 4 cm, a
height of the triangular base as 6 cm, and an overall length of the
prism as 10 cm. Find the volume of triangular prism.
Solution:
Given:
 Base edge (b) = 4 cm
 Height of the triangular base (h) = 6 cm
 Length of the prism (l) = 10 cm
The formula for the volume (V) of a triangular prism is:
V= 1/2 × b × h × l
Substitute the given values into the formula:
V= 1/2 × 4cm × 6cm × 10cm
V=120cm3
∴ the volume of the triangular prism is 120cm 3
Example 2. A triangular prism has a triangular base with sides
measuring 8 cm, 15 cm, and 17 cm. The height of the triangular base
is 10 cm, and the overall length of the prism is 12 cm. Calculate the
surface area of triangular prism.
Solution:
Given:
 Sides of the triangular base (a, b, c) = 8 cm, 15 cm, 17 cm (this is a
right-angled triangle)
 Height of the triangular base (h) = 10 cm
 Length of the prism (l) = 12 cm
The formula for the surface area (A) of a triangular prism is:
A=2 × area of base triangle + perimeter of base × height of prism
First, calculate the area of the base triangle using Heron’s formula:
s= (a + b + c)/2
Area= √[s × (s – a) × (s – b) × (s – c)]
s = (8 + 15 + 17) / 2 = 20
Area= √20 × (20 – 8) × (20 – 15) × (20 – 17)
Area= √20 × 12 × 5 × 3
= √3600
= 60cm2
Now, substitute the values into the surface area formula:
A= 2 × 60cm2 +(8+15+17)cm × 10cm
A= 120cm2 + 40cm × 10cm
A= 520cm2
∴ the surface area of the triangular prism is 520 cm 2
Example 3. Consider a triangular prism with a base edge of 9 cm, a
height of the triangular base as 16 cm, and an overall length of the
prism as 20 cm. Find the volume of triangular prism.
Solution:
Given:
 Base edge (b) = 9 cm
 Height of the triangular base (h) = 16 cm
 Length of the prism (l) = 20 cm
The formula for the volume (V) of a triangular prism is:
V= 1/2 × b × h × l
Substitute the given values into the formula:
V= 1/2 × 9 cm × 16 cm × 20cm
V= 1440 cm3
∴ the volume of the triangular prism is 1440 cm 3
Triangular Prism – Practice Questions
1. A triangular prism has a triangular base with sides measuring 10
cm, 18 cm, and 25 cm. The height of the triangular base is 12 cm, and
the overall length of the prism is 15 cm. Calculate the total surface
area of triangular prism.
2. Consider a triangular prism with a base edge of 8 cm, a height of
the triangular base as 10 cm, and an overall length of the prism as 16
cm. Find the volume of triangular prism.
3. A triangular prism has a triangular base with sides measuring 5
cm, 9 cm, and 13 cm. The height of the triangular base is 15 cm, and
the overall length of the prism is 25 cm. Calculate the lateral surface
area of triangular prism.
4. Consider a triangular prism with a base edge of 9 cm, a height of
the triangular base as 17 cm, and an overall length of the prism as 30
cm. Find the volume of triangular prism.
Triangular Prism – FAQs
What is a Triangular Prism?
A triangular prism is a 3D geometric shape that consists of two triangular
bases and three rectangular sides connecting to the corresponding
vertices of the triangles. It has a total of five faces, nine edges, and six
vertices.
What is the Volume of a Triangular Prism?
The volume (V) of a triangular prism is calculated using the formula:
V= 1/2 × base edge × height of the triangle × length of the prism
What is the Surface Area of a Triangular Prism?
The surface area (A) of a triangular prism involves finding the areas of the
two triangular bases and three rectangular sides, then adding them:
A= 2 × area of base triangle + perimeter of base × height of prism
How many vertex does a Triangular Prism have?
A triangular prism has six vertices (corner points).
What is a Right Triangular Prism?
A right triangular prism is a specific type of triangular prism where the
triangular bases are right-angled triangles, meaning one of the angles is
90 degrees.
What is the Difference between a Triangular Prism and a
Rectangular Prism?
The key difference lies in the shape of their bases. A triangular prism has
triangular bases, while a rectangular prism has rectangular bases.
Triangular prisms have fewer edges and vertices compared to rectangular
prisms with the same number of faces.
How many Edge does a Triangular Prism have?
A triangular prism has nine edges (line segments where the faces meet).
How many Face does a Triangular Prism have?
A triangular prism has five faces.
How to find the Area of a Triangular Prism?
We can find the area of a triangular prism using formula:
Total Surface Area (TSA) = (b × h) + (s 1 + s2 + s3) L

Triangular Prism
A prism is a solid figure with flat faces, two identical bases, and with the
same cross-section all along its length. The name of a particular prism
depends on the two bases of the prism which can be triangles, rectangles,
or any polygon. For example, a prism with triangular bases is called a
triangular prism and a prism with a square base is called a square prism,
and so on. A triangular prism has two triangular bases and three
rectangular lateral faces. Let us learn more about the triangular prism in
this article.

What is a Triangular Prism?

A triangular prism is a 3D shape with two identical faces in the shape of a
triangle connected by three rectangular faces. The rectangular faces are
referred to as the lateral faces, while the triangular faces are called bases.
The bases are also called the top and the bottom (faces) of the prism.

Triangular Prism Meaning: A triangular prism is a 3D polyhedron with

three rectangular faces and two triangular faces. The 2 triangular faces
are congruent to each other, and the 3 lateral faces which are in the shape
of rectangles are also congruent to each other. Thus, a triangular prism has
5 faces, 9 edges, and 6 vertices. Observe the following image of a
triangular prism in which l represents the length of the prism, h represents
the height of the base triangle, and b represents the bottom edge of the
base triangle.

Triangular Prism Properties

The properties of a triangular prism help us to identify it easily. Listed below
are a few properties of a triangular prism:

 A triangular prism has 5 faces, 9 edges, and 6 vertices.

 It is a polyhedron with 3 rectangular faces and 2 triangular faces.
 The two triangular bases are congruent to each other.
 Any cross-section of a triangular prism is in the shape of a triangle.

Right Triangular Prism

A right triangular prism is a prism in which the triangular faces
are perpendicular to the three rectangular faces. In other words, the angle
formed at the intersection of triangle and rectangle faces should be 90
degrees, therefore, the triangular faces are perpendicular to the lateral
rectangular faces. A right triangular prism has 6 vertices, 9 edges, and 5
faces.

Triangular Prism Faces Edges Vertices

As mentioned above, a triangular prism has 5 faces including 3 lateral
rectangular faces and 2 triangular bases, 9 edges, and 6 vertices. The
vertices of the triangular prism are the vertices of the two triangular bases
connected by lines that form rectangles. Its edges include 6 edges of two
triangular bases (3 + 3) and 3 sides that join the bases.

Faces Edges Vertices

Triangular Prism 5 9 6

Triangular Prism Net

The net of a triangular prism is a pattern that is seen when the surface of
the prism is opened, flattened, and laid out such that all the faces are seen
clearly. It is two-dimensional. This net can be folded up to make a triangular
prism. It shows that the bases of the prism are shaped in a triangle and the
lateral faces are shaped like a rectangle. The figure given below shows the
net of a triangular prism where the triangles and the rectangles are seen
clearly.
Triangular Prism Formulas
There are two important formulae of a triangular prism which are surface
area and volume. A brief explanation of both is given below along with the
formula.

Surface Area of a Triangular Prism

The surface area of a triangular prism is the area that is occupied by its
surface. It is the sum of the areas of all the faces of the prism. Hence, the
formula to calculate the surface area is:

Surface area = (Perimeter of the base × Length) + (2 × Base Area) = (a

+ b + c)L + bh

where,

 b is the bottom edge of the base triangle,

 h is the height of the base triangle,
 L is the length of the prism,
 a, b, and c are the three edges (sides) of the base triangle
 (bh) is the combined area of the two triangular faces, because [2 × (1/2 × bh)] = bh.

For more information on the surface area formula and calculations, check
the article on the surface area of a triangular prism.

Volume of a Triangular Prism

The volume of a triangular prism is the product of its triangular base area and
the length of the prism. As we already know that the triangular prism base
is in the shape of a triangle, the area of the base will be the same as that of
a triangle. Hence, the Volume of a Triangular Prism = area of base
triangle × length or it can also be written as Volume of Triangular Prism
= ½ × b × h × l, where b is the base length of the triangle, h is the height of
the triangle, and l is the length of the prism.