SOLUTION: Write an equation that represents the number of faces in a prism in terms of the number of sides in the base of the prism

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Question 182824: Write an equation that represents the number of faces in a prism in terms of the number of sides in the base of the prism
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source):
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Remember, a prism is a 3-dimensional figure where two sides are parallel (these are the bases). So for any prism, there will ALWAYS be at least two faces (the top and bottom face).

For example, here's a picture of a triangular prism:

Now looking at the picture above, we see that there are 3 lateral faces (the faces that are on the side of the prism).

Let's look at another example. Here's a picture of a hexagonal prism:

So we can see that because the base has 6 sides, the prism has 6 lateral faces.

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So in general, if the base has 'x' sides, then the prism will have 'x' lateral faces.

So we have the following formula (which works for any prism)

Total Number of Faces = Number of Base Faces + Number of Lateral Faces

Total Number of Faces = 2 + x

So the formula is where "x" is the number of sides that the base has and "F" is the total number of faces.