Solids

In geometry, a Platonic solid is a convex, regular polyhedron in three-dimensional Euclidean space. Being a regular polyhedron means that the faces are congruent (identical in shape and size) regular polygons (all angles congruent and all edges congruent), and the same number of faces meet at each vertex. There are only five such polyhedra: a tetrahedron (four faces), a cube (six faces), an octahedron (eight faces), a dodecahedron (twelve faces), and an icosahedron (twenty faces).

Geometers have studied the Platonic solids for thousands of years. They are named for the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who hypothesized in one of his dialogues, the Timaeus, that the classical elements were made of these regular solids.

Tetrahedron

A triangular pyramid; three edges visible from any viewpoint.

Cube

Six square faces; three orthogonal edges form a corner.

Octahedron

Two pyramids tip‑to‑tip; looks like a diamond shape when viewed along an axis.

Dodecahedron

Many pentagonal panels; resembles a classic “soccer ball” without the hexagons.

Icosahedron

Lots of triangular facets; appears almost spherical, especially when rotated.