What is the Difference Between Triangular Prism and Triangular Pyramid (Tetrahedron)?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a triangular prism and a triangular pyramid (Tetrahedron) lies in the number of bases and the shape of their faces. Here are the key differences:
- Triangular Prism:
- A triangular prism is a polyhedron with two congruent, parallel triangular bases and all other faces are parallelograms.
- It has 5 sides, 6 vertices, and 9 edges.
- The edges of the faces are parallel to each other.
- If the faces are rectangles, it is referred to as a right triangular prism.
- Triangular Pyramid (Tetrahedron):
- A triangular pyramid is a polyhedron with one triangular base and all other faces are triangles.
- It has 4 sides, 4 vertices, and 6 edges.
- The edges of the triangular faces meet at a point above the base.
In summary, a triangular prism has two triangular bases and parallelogram faces, while a triangular pyramid has one triangular base and triangular faces that meet at a point above the base.
Comparative Table: Triangular Prism vs Triangular Pyramid (Tetrahedron)
Here is a table comparing the differences between a triangular prism and a triangular pyramid (also known as a tetrahedron):
Feature | Triangular Prism | Triangular Pyramid (Tetrahedron) |
---|---|---|
Definition | A triangular prism is a three-dimensional shape with a triangular base, three rectangular faces, and two triangular faces. It has 6 faces, 9 edges, and 6 vertices. | A triangular pyramid, also known as a tetrahedron, is a three-dimensional shape with a triangular base and three triangular faces. It has 4 faces, 6 edges, and 4 vertices. |
Faces | 6 faces, including a triangular base and three rectangular faces | 4 faces, including a triangular base and three triangular faces |
Edges | 9 edges | 6 edges |
Vertices | 6 vertices | 4 vertices |
Types | Regular and irregular triangular prisms | Regular and irregular triangular pyramids |
Regular Triangular Prism | A prism with equilateral triangles as its base and rectangular faces with equal side lengths | A pyramid with an equilateral triangle as its base and three equilateral triangular faces |
Irregular Triangular Prism | A prism with a triangular base and unequal side lengths for the rectangular faces | A pyramid with a base that is not an equilateral triangle |
Right Triangular Prism | A prism with a right-angle triangle as its base and rectangular faces with equal side lengths | A right triangular pyramid is a tetrahedron with a right-angle triangle as its base and three congruent isosceles triangles as its other faces |
In summary, a triangular prism has a triangular base and three rectangular faces, while a triangular pyramid (tetrahedron) has a triangular base and three triangular faces. Both shapes can be regular or irregular, depending on the lengths of their edges and the equality of their faces.
- Pyramid vs Prism
- Diamond, Rhombus vs Trapezoid
- Dioctahedral vs Trioctahedral
- Trigonal Planar vs Trigonal Pyramidal
- Parallelogram vs Trapezoid
- Square Planar vs Tetrahedral Complexes
- Tetrahedral vs Octahedral Voids
- Parallelogram vs Rhombus
- Geometry vs Trigonometry
- Mastaba vs Pyramid
- Hexagon vs Monoclinic Unit Cell
- Rectangle vs Rhombus
- Parallelogram vs Quadrilateral
- Prism Spectra vs Grating Spectra
- Pentacle vs Pentagram
- Deuteron vs Triton
- Deuterium vs Tritium
- Algebra vs Trigonometry
- Parallelogram vs Rectangle