27
2-D Shapes
Observe the lines below. We can use a ruler to draw the lines.
A line has length. (You will learn more about length in Unit 6.)
Unlike a line, the rectangle has length and breadth.
We say it has two dimensions (2-D). This is why a rectangle is referred to as a 2-D shape.
A 2-D shape is thin and at, for example, a rectangular card.
Similarly, a triangle, a circle and a square are 2-D shapes.
A line has only length. We say it has only one dimension (1-D).
Now look at the rectangle shown below.
It has two pairs of equal and parallel sides.
The longer sides are usually called the lengths of the rectangle.
The shorter sides are usually called the breadths or widths of the rectangle.
length
length
length
length
breadthbreadth
length
1-Dimension
2-Dimension
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