Prerequisite Knowledge:

• Basic understanding of 2 and 3 dimensions
• Familiarity with the properties of cubes

Objectives:

• To visualise the 2-D representation of 3-D solid
• To think in 3 dimensions while working in 2 dimensions
• To construct the different 2-D representation when 3,4 or 5 cubes are stacked to form a solid

Materials required:

• Computer Software: Word 97

Procedure:

1. Construct a cube (with sides of about 1-2 cm) using the AutoShapes functions.  Copy to produce more cubes of the same size.
2. Present the different ways where groups of 3 cubes can be stacked.  Repeat the activity with 4 cubes and 5 cubes (tedious).
3. Think about the following questions:
   1. What are the strategies you have discovered to visualise the 2-D representation of 3-D solids?
   2. Have you noticed any special guiding principles to decide if a solid could be formed from a particular arrangement?
   3. Think of any other question(s) you will like to ask the rest.