Over Spring Break, I took notice of the geometric figures we have studied in Math class. Much to my surprise, it was not difficult to find these shapes in my everyday world. Some of them are things I already have in my life, and others are things I would like to have in my life. The following is a collection of the items I found. Listed together will be both the two dimensional and three dimensional versions.

Note: IF you are viewing the Internet Version of this page, many of the pictures listed will take you to the source of the picture. This way you can see the full sized version, and you can read a little more about that particular item. (Again, IF there is a little finger on the picture when you put your cursor on top of it, then there is a link behind it, so be sure and take the virtual trip.)

This 2D pentagon can be found on my car which is a product of Chrysler.

I WISH I had this 3D pentagon to go on my porch, especially with the weather feeling so much like Spring now! It is a pentagon shaped planter.

This 2D rectangle can be found in my home. It is a picture of a lighthouse that hangs in my dining room.

This 3D rectangle is one that I WISH I could find in my back yard. With summer break coming up, this little addition to the back yard would be such a treat!

I WISH this 2D square could be found in my home. It is a pattern that is used to make a quilt or wall hanging from a kit. IF I had more time, I think this would make a nice addition to my light house collection. I am not sure the exact measurement of this square but the website says the wall hanging makes a 44 square inch picture.

This 3D square can be found in my home. It is the bath scales we weigh ourselves on each day to make sure we are not going “over the limit”! The other 3D square here is a child’s block. I think everyone had a set of these when they were kids.

This 2D Hexagon is one that can be found around my home. It is the chicken wire that contains the pets my husband keeps.

This 3D Hexagon is one I WISH I had in my home. It is a nice aquarium that is built in the shape of a hexagon.

I also wish I had this 3D hexagon out in my back yard to go with the swimming pool.

This 2D quadrilateral in this quilting project is used in an interesting fashion to create a cat pattern. In fact, this project also uses a right triangle and a rectangle to complete the body of the cat. I found that people who quilt use geometric figures heavily.

This 3D quadrilateral is a nice way to keep plants. It is a nice little tabletop greenhouse that I WISHED I owed.

This 2D octagon quilt piece is so pretty with the lighthouse as it’s center.

Also, this stain glass window in the shape of an octagon.

This 3D octagon award is one that the person who created the quilt above would probably enjoy getting for all the hard work he or she put into the quilt.

Dimensions

8 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1 ½

All of this would be lovely housed in this 3D octagon house. Follow link , read history.

The first 2D heptagon is very lovely. I am not sure what it stands for because the website I found it on is written in German or something! However, it did make me aware that other countries also use geometric shapes in their world as well. Also, everyone should be aware that we use irregular 2D heptagons as roads signs here in our own country.

This 3D heptagon greenhouse would be a nice addition to the back yard.

Dimensions

Diagonal Width: (1865mm)

Eaves Height: (1922mm)

Ridge Height: (2460mm)

In addition to the greenhouse, a few of these 3D heptagon candle holders would be nice added to the home.

A 2D nonagon is difficult to find. However, I did find reference to one at this website which talks about the crystal shape formed by carbon. Find the PDF website by clicking on the graphic you see here.

showing that the imaged GPC is a regular

nonagon in cross section.

This 3D nonagon is a portable hot tub that can be assembled in any room. These are used for birthing baths in some hospitals and by some midwives. This was a totally new concept for me.

For a chart graph, this 2D decagon serves the purpose of organizing the curriculum for developing district-level capacity online.

Or this window dressing is of great interest for a 2D decagon.

Just in case the previous greenhouse is not large enough, there is the 3D decagon greenhouse!

Base 8' x 8'
Eaves Height 5'8"
Cone Height 7'11"

This 2D triangle can be found at my place of employment in the foods lab class at Lufkin High School. It is the commonly known Food Guide Pyramid.

Not sure if this one is a 2D or 3D triangle. It is a tool used by carpenters. It is called a speed square. Unlike the food guide pyramid, it is a Right Triangle.

12" x 12" x 17" size

3/16" thick aluminum alloy

Here are the 3D cones I found, and YOU are invited to the party!!!

First, there are the traffic cones which tell you where to park at the party.

Second, come on in and get your party hat and ice cream cone.

This is a 3D cube that is used to display photos, or as this lovely collectors item.

This 3D sphere is a neat little invention to help pet hamsters get their exercise.

This Aircraft Warning Sphere is a 3D sphere that is used to keep aircraft from hitting powerlines.

 

 

 

14.) Pyramid - A pyramid is a space figure with a square base and 4 triangle-shaped sides.

See rules and formulas on next page.

Ex:

Real World Note:

Pyramids are symbols of life, perfection, knowledge, and communal effort. The largest pyramid of all is the "Great Pyramid" at Giza, built for King Khufu.

I have also noticed that many of the awards that are presented are in pyramid shape.

The pyramid shape of this award sends a great message of achievement and accomplishment. Ex: American Music Awards January 17, 1999 THE AWARD: A skinny glass pyramid.

 

Size: 8-1/2"h x 3-3/4"w Size: Award: 8-1/4"H x 3-1/2" Square Base: 1"H x 4-3/4" Square

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.) Cylinder - A cylinder is a space figure having two congruent circular bases that are parallel.

See rules and formulas on next page.

Ex:

Real World Note:

Flashlights and batteries come in 3D cylinder shape.

From my younger fishing days, I remember we used to keep crickets in a cage that was cylinder shaped.

Size 6" x 6" Size 3-3/8" x 7"

 

 

Written Report To Follow...

 

Geometric Shapes In My World

Over the spring break, I took notice of the two and three dimensional geometric shapes we have studied in Math 1351. Much to my surprise, it was not difficult to find some of these figures in my every day world. However, I found other figures to be things I would like to have in my life because these items of geometric shape give more pleasure to life. I noticed that my picture dictionary began from that viewpoint, but about midway through the picture dictionary, it became apparent to me that some people are affected differently by geometric figures. I noticed my mental focus shifted to the fact that people of many professions are affected by geometric shapes in their lives. During this journey to discover geometric shapes in my world, I realized that two major areas impressed me the most. Geometric shapes in the world largely give pleasure and beauty to many, while to others in the professional world, geometric shapes hold a more important role. Since these two thoughts impressed me the most, I will write from that viewpoint.

The first thought that impressed me as I worked on my picture dictionary is the beauty and enjoyment everyone gets from geometric shapes. For instance, beauty is added to the world by geometric shapes that are used by many architectures. Think for a moment of the big lovely homes with the stain glass windows and the geometric designs which make the home more visually appealing. Furthermore, picture in your mind things like swimming pools, gazeboes, greenhouses, aquariums, and planters which bring great pleasure to many. Indeed, the beauty and pleasure of our world is greatly affected by geometric shapes!

The second thought that impressed me is that many are affected by geometric figures in their work world. For instance, as I viewed cubes, I thought of the bakers who use butter and vegetable shortening in their daily baking. Today, many of these ingredients come in something that resembles a “cube” or “a version of a cube”. Also, I thought of the carpenter who uses many materials which resemble some of the geometric shapes we have studied. However, the people who impressed me the most are the ladies who quilt. They probably use the largest variety of two dimensional figures of anyone to make their creations. In fact, as I viewed the quilts online that some of these ladies have made, I thought of the tessellation properties we discussed in class. Surely, these ladies are masters of tessellation when it comes to quilting.

My final thought on this subject is that Geometry is a mathematical science that affects everyone on the face of this earth. Studying the shapes involved with this science has opened my eyes. This project has helped me to see all the ways that geometric shapes contribute to the world in which I live. Indeed, a world without geometric shapes would be unbearable. Nothing would hold the beauty and pleasure it does now, nor would anyone be able to do their work correctly. Never again will I view things in quite the same fashion because my mind’s eye has been opened to “see” all the geometric shapes in my world. Amazingly, they are literally everywhere!