Yes, a cube is a prism. In fact, according to the provided reference, a cube is a special type of rectangular prism.
Understanding Prisms and Cubes
To understand why a cube is a prism, let's define both shapes:
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Prism: A prism is a three-dimensional geometric shape with two parallel faces that are congruent polygons (the bases) and other faces that are parallelograms (lateral faces).
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Cube: A cube is a three-dimensional solid object bounded by six square faces, facets or sides, with three meeting at each vertex.
Why a Cube is a Special Rectangular Prism
The reference states: "A cube is a special type of rectangular prism where each edge is identical in length, resulting in six identical faces."
This means:
- A cube has two parallel, congruent polygonal bases (squares in this case).
- Its other faces are parallelograms (which are also squares).
- The critical distinction is that all sides (edges) of a cube are equal in length.
Key Characteristics of a Cube
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Faces | 6 identical square faces |
| Edges | 12 edges, all of equal length |
| Vertices | 8 vertices |
| Base | Any two opposite faces can be considered the bases of the prism. |
Conclusion
Therefore, based on the definition of a prism and the properties of a cube (especially the provided reference), a cube definitively qualifies as a prism, specifically a special type of rectangular prism where all edges are equal.
