Spatial Reasoning Using Cubes

Spatial Reasoning using Cubes and Isometric Drawings
Part Two: Creating Solids from Isometric Drawings -- One to Many

In Activity 2, we explored strategies for deciding when two isometric drawings could represent the same shape. This investigation will explore what possible shapes might have the same isometric drawing.

Activity 3: When is a cube not a cube?

Complete the questions in the following three tasks.

Task 1: In the drawing tool window below, use the View Tool "3D" feature to find a view of the image that looks just like the one to the right.

1. How many cubes appear to be in the blue shape?

2. How many cubes are in the shape below?

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Task 2:

Use the button below to see another possible shape. As in Activity 1, use the View Tool to match the drawing to the cube above.

3. How many cubes are in this shape?

Task 3:

Look at the following isometric drawing.

4. How many cubes do you actually see in this drawing?

5. Click on the button below to see this object with the drawing tool.

Use the rotation controls to view the shape from other perspectives.

Count the actual number of cubes in this shape.

Reflections:

1. Think about your answers to the three tasks.

What can you say about the possible shapes that have the blue isometric drawing as a possibility?

Is there a minimum number of cubes in the shape? a maximum number of cubes?

2. How do you decide what a given isometric drawing is supposed to represent?

3. What additional information might you provide to specify a particular shape?

Click here to go to the next step of the investigation.


Another View	Do They Match?	Hidden Treasure	"Impossible" Isometrics	Back to Overview

Last updated: March 7, 2002

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