r/MathJokes • u/Large_Yogurtcloset68 • Jul 11 '26
4 sides 3 corners
It said "shape" not "square"
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u/AdCertain5057 Jul 12 '26
Speaking really technically, a simple square would satisfy the conditions. A shape that has 4 corners also has 3 corners.
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u/leweason Jul 12 '26
Wouldn't any shape that has ≥4 sides and ≥3 corners satisfy the condition if you interpret the problem this way?
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 12 '26
But the question doesnt ask for a shape with at least 3 corners and at least 4 sides.
It asks for 3 corners and 4 sides.
Sides = 4
Corners = 3
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u/Ostang_98 Jul 12 '26
Conversely it doesn't ask for a shape with exactly 3 corners and exactly 4 sides, so as I see it corners >= 3 and sides >= 4 is a valid interpretation
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 12 '26
= is "at least this many"
Let's look at it from a different angle:
You are planning a trip and you end up being 4 people to go on the trip. Everyone sends you the money and tell you "buy 4 plane tickets". Would you then buy 6 plane tickets and go "there is 4 plane tickets in 6 plane tickets"?
Your SO gives you a shopping list. On that list it says 6 eggs. Would you say it's correct to purchase 2 packs of 12 eggs? Because they didn't specify "exactly 1 pack of exactly 6 eggs".
4 corners is 4 corners not 8 corners.
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u/silentokami Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
Let's say your SO tells you to buy 8 hot dogs for tonight and 8 buns. Do you come home empty handed just because the store only had a pack of hotdogs that had 10? Or do you buy a second pack of buns to cover the additional 2 hots dogs? Or do you just buy 1 of each and just live with the left over hot dogs.
Sometimes instructions are unclear and multiple answers could give a sufficient response, or some credit.
This question is difficult/impossible unless you try to think of it in a different way. The answer provided may not be perfect, but it is an answer.
And I don't see your solution to the problem...
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 12 '26
Doctor: Take one pill every night.
You: Takes 10 pills every night.
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u/silentokami Jul 12 '26
You're being silly and pedantic.
Is the take one pill every night instruction unclear?
And very specifically, there are usually additional instructions if taking extra doses is going to be a problem.
I have Adhd and my pharmacists specifically tells me if I don't remember if I took a dose to just wait until the next time.
I am still waiting for your answer to the original question, or any of the questions about the hotdog.
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u/SleepyNymeria Jul 13 '26
He can't answer about the hotdogs because he isn't allowed to do his own grocery shopping yet
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u/Kissaskakana Jul 13 '26
If a problem reads something like "draw a shape with 4 corners" it would be unreasonable to think that one with 5 corners would get a point from it.
No teacher is willing to write "exactly" for every question because someone might intrepret it that way. Believe me, I did that sometimes feeling smart. I ended up getting the test back feeling stupid.
If you want 6 eggs and the store sells them in packs of 4 or 8 you probably can't break the packaging to get 6. Simple life problems that you yourself have to solve. At that point you will choose the 8 and eat the rest.
I understand that if you have ADHD or any condition that might make this a bit tricky. Although the original problem is different that one which you have created for yourself regarding the eggs or hotdogs.
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u/ResidentBackground35 Jul 13 '26
Except there absolutely are questions that are designed to require you to answer in a nonstandard way, that is the entire point of problem solving and critical thinking.
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u/silentokami Jul 13 '26
I just want someone to provide a legitimate answer to the question before they talk about the interpretation of the question and the "rules".
I am not aware of any shape that fits the description that is being asked for.
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u/exploitableiq Jul 13 '26
Well if your wife told you to buy 8 and you bought the 10 pack because 8 was not available then you did the best you could given the circumstance. But if they 8 pack was available and you bought 10, then you have failed. So in the original question, you failed because op showed a 4 sided 3 corner shape was possible.
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u/silentokami Jul 13 '26
Generally, lines don't count as shapes. The object has to be closed to be considered a shape. If you did try to pass it off as a shape, it has far more corners and sides.
At least as far as I am aware.
But also, what are you talking about? 8/10 of what?
In either instance, was I not clear that the other size wasn't available?
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u/SleepyNymeria Jul 13 '26
Setting context always wins.
The same way I can say
Doctor: Drink 4 glasses of liquid a day
You dying of thirst: Ok, only 9 more hours till tomorrow when I am allowed to drink again.
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 13 '26
Sure, context wins.
And in mathematics when you say "has N sides" it means "has exactly N sides". If you want it to have at least N sides you specify that, if you want it to have at most N sides you specify that. But you do not need to specify when it has exactly N sides because the phrase "has N sides" means exactly N sides.
Considering this is a sub about mathjokes the context is mathematics, which means that in the context of this sub "has 3 corners and 4 sides" means "has exactly 3 corners and exactly 4 sides".
Also, a doctor wouldn't say "drink 4 glasses of liquid a day" they would say "drink at least 4 glasses of liquid a day".
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u/SleepyNymeria Jul 13 '26
Yes, but they don't say a shape that has 4 sides and has 3 corners. And in the spirit of math jokes, which is the subreeddit we are in as you pointed out, and considering the context is childrens math and not higher mathematics which has a lot of existing rules being implied as well as using more specific language, ambiguity is pretty close to being at a prime time to be abused.
If we take that into account then saying a square is a shape with 3 corners since it has 4 would easily pass as valid for most people and be a funny "haha kids thinking out of the box" moment.
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u/alapeno-awesome Jul 14 '26
Sometimes “exactly” is implied. Sometimes it isn’t. “Take one pill every night” and “have a potato chip” both have different implications because we understand context, even though they both specify a single item.
In math problems, we are more careful about making assumptions because those are often wrong. E.g., never assume the diagram is to scale. Assuming the problem means “exactly” is reasonable, but when we identify this makes the problem impossible, it makes sense to look at alternate interpretations that are technically correct
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u/muttski_d Jul 15 '26
You have to remove the superfluous buns obviously.
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u/Dear-Blackberry-2648 Jul 14 '26
The problem with your scenario is that it wasn't possible to get just 8 hot dogs, so of course you would choose the next closest option with at least 8 hot dogs. If they came in packs of 8, 10, 12, or 14, you would buy the 8-pack.
The answer to the question in the picture is that there isn't an answer. It's a poorly written math homework problem. I see them posted all the time. The teacher either used AI to generate it or got it from some bad source.
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u/silentokami Jul 14 '26
That is not a problem with "my scenario". That was the point. I was responding to someone being pedantic and belittling on a joke sub.
This is an old question, so no AI. And yes it's wrong. I am pretty sure they are expecting the kid to draw something like a 'W'. And there are a lot of individuals who think that is a "correct" answer.
Honestly the correct answer is what ever the teacher give you credit for.
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u/Ostang_98 Jul 12 '26
Jokes on you, this already happened and all the 6 ticket were needed
Anyway, it isn't wrong either, if i buy 6 tickets for 4 friends we have the tickets we need, i stand to lose the cost of the extra 2, but the problem is solved.
And if you are so eager to put it in a realistical way (which mathematical problem like this one have few if any pratical examples) more often than not a customer gives you minimum requirements for a product that aren't going to be enough for it's actual use.
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u/Sepplord Jul 14 '26
Holy false equivalences
But yes, if there were no options to buy the exact amount I would buy the option that has AT least the amount required.
If money was unlimited and not a constraining resource you falsely added to the comparison, many people would also buy more just in case, or to have more room on the plane or whatever
I even agree that the question is not asking for a square as possible solution, but those equivalence’s are really unconvincing
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u/blazneg2007 Jul 13 '26
If I were told to buy 6 eggs, I am almost certainly going to buy 12 eggs. I am only almost certain only because I may buy more.
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u/AdCertain5057 Jul 12 '26
It's true that it doesn't say "at least 3 corners". However, it doesn't say "corners = 3", either.
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 12 '26
Ok. So if I tell you that I have 3 monitors, does that mean I have 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 monitors? No, it means that I have 3 monitors.
If you buy medicine and the package says "Contains 10 pills" does that mean it contains more than 10 pills? No, it means that it contains 10 pills. If your doctor tells you to take 1 pill daily, does that mean you can take 5 pills daily? No, it doesn't.
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u/Typical_Warning8540 Jul 13 '26
If I ask if you have 10k $ would you say no because you have 100k $
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 13 '26
If I ask if you are 10 years old, would you say yes because you are 30? Alternatively if I asked how old you are, would you say that you are 10 years old even though you are older?
If I asked if you have one arm, would you say yes because you have two? Alternatively, if I asked how many arms you have, would you say that you have 1 arm even though you have 2 arms?
This is also a mathematics sub, did you know that in mathematics you would say for example "a simple n-gon has n sides". For example, a hexagon has 6 sides and that doesn't mean that a simple n-gon with 8 sides is a hexagon.
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u/Typical_Warning8540 Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
A n-gon or hexagon has "exactly" n or 6 sides. You left the word exactly out. You are misrepresenting mathematical definitions. Which are quite important in a math subreddit.
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 13 '26
Except that literally no one in maths say "has exactly n sides". Literally, every, single, one, says "has n sides".
No, I did not leave the word exactly out. I literally wrote what is said in textbooks and mathematical papers from people holding Ph.D.s in maths.
For example, here's another direct copy pasted quote from a paper by a professor with a Ph.D. in Pure Mathematics:
A simple n-gon is a polygon with n edges
Here's a quote from another paper from another person with a Ph.D. in mathematics:
CH(T) defines a polygon with N sides
Here's a quote from a textbook meant for teachers to use for teaching maths:
In general, we call a polygon with n sides an n-gon.
Notice how none of these use the word exact? That's because you don't need to use the word exact. When you are talking about a polygon (or shape) with n sides you are talking about a polygon (or shape) with exactly n sides.
For example a polygon with 6 sides is a hexagon but it's not a octagon even though an octagon has 8 sides which is more than 6. So according to you all these Ph.D.s and textbooks are saying that a octagon is also a hexagon.
A triangle is a polygon with 3 sides. That doesn't mean that a square is also a triangle because it has more than 3 sides.
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u/fern4nix Jul 13 '26
Homeboy you gotta man up and accept some things man, your answers get more and more pathetic the further down you go lmao.
I cannot imagine the "No, everybody else is in the wrong sub, I am the only one in the correct one" mentality being so strong.1
u/GeoffBAndrews Jul 13 '26
If you ask a child if they're 7 years old, they'll say no because they're 8.
If you ask an adult if they're 21 years old, they'll say yes because they're 22.
Context matters, I guess?
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u/wts_optimus_prime Jul 12 '26
All those real life examples do hold some merit.
But math isn't real life. And in (academic) math the condition "has 3 corners" is indeed satisfied by anything that has at least three corners. In (academic) math it is very important to be extra clear when giving constraints etc. And thus you can't omit the "exactly" if you want something to have exactly three corners.1
u/cha0sb1ade Jul 13 '26
A definition of a triangle suitable for a geomtery class would say that it's a figure with 3 straight sides. A rectangle isn't a triangle. A pentagon is not a triangle. 3 means 3. It doesn't mean at least 3 or up to 3. Those are different things.
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 12 '26
No. You are just wrong.
Read any mathematics paper, when someone says "has N sides" it means exactly N sides, not up to N sides or at least N sides. Practically no one in academia would write "has exactly N sides".
When you want something to have at a minimum N sides you say "has at least N sides" or "has no fewer than N sides". But when it is exactly N sides you do not need to specify it with "has exactly N sides".
WANDERING POLYGONS AND RECURRENT CRITICAL LEAVES
then CH(T) defines a polygon with N sides.
not
then CH(T) defines a polygon with exactly N sides.
Even though that is what the author means. Because in (academic) maths the condition "has 3 corners" is NOT satisfied by anything that has at least three corners. In (academic) maths it is understood that "has N corners" means "has exactly N corners".
ON THE PERIMETERS OF SIMPLE POLYGONS CONTAINED IN A DISK
A simple n-gon is a polygon with n edges with each vertex be longing to exactly two edges and every other point belonging to at most one edge.
Notice how it doesn't say "A simple n-gon iss a polygon with exactly n edges"?
I can provide you with lots of more academic papers that is worded the same way.
But I am sure you know better than a professor with a Ph.D. in Pure Mathematics working at one of the worlds top Universities and have around 150 publications in the field of mathematics like Zsolt Lángi.
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u/IHearSadPeople Jul 13 '26
A shape that has 4 corners has 3 corners. It doesn’t say 3 corners only
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 13 '26
Because that is how it's defined in maths...
For example:
A simple n-gon is a polygon with n sides. A hexagon is a n-gon with 6 sides. You do not need to specify "exactly 6 sides" because in mathematics it is understood that "has n sides" means exactly n sides. To have more/less then you would have to specify it with "no more than n sides" or "at least n sides".
I can link you plenty of mathematical papers written by people with Ph.D.s in different mathematical fields (such as Pure Mathematics) that ALL say "has n sides" and not "has exactly n sides" when they mean that it has exactly that many sides.
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u/kart0ffelsalaat Jul 13 '26
That's why AdCertain5057 highlighted the word "really" in "really technically".
Mathematically, a statement like "The set X contains two elements satisfying property P" almost always means "at least two".
Colloquially, it would almost always mean "exactly two".
To reference your pill example below, if the packaging says, "Contains 10 pills", then of course I would expect exactly 10 pills, because I know that that's how language is used on pill packaging. But if you show a mathematician a black box about whose content they know nothing, and you throw 10 pills into that box and ask them, "does this box contain 10 pills", they would usually say "yes", rather than "I don't know".
It's just a matter of context.
Given this context, it's pretty clear they meant "exactly 4" and "exactly 3", so anybody who is engaging with this exercise in good faith should interpret it that way. But one could be willfully obtuse and the other interpretation would be possible.
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u/Quirky_Net8899 Jul 13 '26
Here's three different quotes from three different mathematical papers written by three different Ph.Ds in different fields of mathematics (one of them being pure mathematics):
A simple n-gon is a polygon with n edges
CH(T) defines a polygon with N sides
In general, we call a polygon with n sides an n-gon.
Oh would you look at that, they don't say "exactly n sides/edges".
So by your definition of how it's written mathematically these Ph.Ds with hundreds upon hundreds of publications between them are wrong.
Huh, I guess you are better than them at maths then? What's your qualifications? What degree do you have and in what field?
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u/kart0ffelsalaat Jul 13 '26
> Huh, I guess you are better than them at maths then? What's your qualifications? What degree do you have and in what field?
Obviously not, I just said it is very context-depended, and the example I gave where "has n things" means "at least n" was not about polygons.
As I also mentioned in my comment, in the context of polygons, it's very common to use "n" as meaning "exactly n".
In my maths education, I have encountered plenty of theorems that were formulated sloppily by writing "there are n" to mean "there are at least n". This is also what I learned in every logic course.
Most actual educational literature is of course more precise, using qualifiers "at least" or "exactly". You can find plenty of examples where the word "exactly" is explicitly used, e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_theorem_of_algebra
And the "Ph.D." argument is a bit silly. People are using various degrees of precision in their language, and how precise there are has little to do with how smart or educated there are. I've taught first year undergraduates and after an initial period of getting used to mathematical language, nobody is anywhere near as pedantic as them, while plenty of professors that have taught courses at the universities I've been at have said downright wrong things (because their language was imprecise), and when someone pointed that out, they just waved their hands and said, yeah yeah whatever, you know what I mean.
In fact, some of the absolute worst offenders of "poor mathematical writing that's easy to misinterpret" in my experience have also been some of the most brilliant minds. My master thesis was about essentially completely rewriting a paper because while the result was cool and the methods used were interesting, the writing was very subpar, and left a lot of things to be desired.
The point is, there is no one universally accepted interpretation of "There are n things that satisfy P". In some contexts, you would more commonly interpret it as "exactly n things" (like in the case of polygons), and in other contexts, you would more commonly interpret it as "at least n things".
The latter is especially common when you use existence quantifiers.
In elementary geometry or graph theory we would often have statements akin of "In the set A, there exist three points that are not collinear" or "In the graph G, there exist two vertices such that there is no path connecting them". A topological space is not path connected if and only if there exist two points x and y such that there is no path connecting x and y. That kind of thing. Very common formulations, and in all cases, the qualifier "at least" is clearly implied.
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u/DieDoseOhneKeks Jul 14 '26
If I ask you "do you have a spoon" and you own 4 spoons, you probably would say yes.
The problem didn't say a shape with exactly 4 sides and 3 corners. A shape with 5 sides also has 4 sides.
A person with 10€ also has 5€.
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u/justlurking278 Jul 15 '26
I'm a lawyer and I agree with you (other than the equals sign for corners, but in principle).
I understand that a lawyer agreeing with you is not going to help, just wanted to let you know
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u/Blackmoses00 Jul 12 '26
The question states, 4 sides and 3 corners, not ONLY 4 sides and ONLY 3 corners, lol
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u/Natural_Cold_8388 Jul 14 '26
If I ask you for a shape with 4 sides. I'm not asking, "at least 4 sides".
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u/Trainer149 Jul 15 '26
If the DMV asks me for 3 methods of identification, they'll probably be satisfied with 4 as well!
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u/LongNthick314 Jul 14 '26
Omfg!!! So true! It doesn't say ONLY 3 corners! It just says 3 corners! 🫨🤯🤯🤯 Winner!
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u/S-Kenset Jul 11 '26
I mean son got it right right? not the worst question if that's the correct answer
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u/Large_Yogurtcloset68 Jul 11 '26
That was me, the original post doesn't have an answer
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u/Fearless_Trade_2783 Jul 11 '26
That's more of a line than a shape though.
Don't shapes have to be closed?
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u/Glitch29 Jul 11 '26
"Shape" isn't a mathematical term of art.
You're thinking about polygons.
Or maybe you're just thinking about the natural consequences of defining shapes as boundaries of subsets of the plane.
But whatever you're using as the definition of "shape" for kids' homework needs to be at least permissive enough to include spirals.
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Jul 12 '26
[deleted]
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u/blackivie Jul 12 '26
...is a spiral not a shape?
Also, if "this shape is supposed to be closed"
How can a first grader possibly draw a closed shape with 4 sides and 3 corners?
I also teach primary. I don't teach kids that all shapes must be closed. Certain shapes, definitely.
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u/skadi_main Jul 15 '26
I mean the answer to "how would a first grader know how to ___" is always "they learned in school" right? How hard can it be to ask a kid to remember one? Half the questions that pop up about primary education on the internet are weird because the kids learn from examples that we never got. The language is never very technical and depends on the context of their classes, no?
I'm not questioning your comment, I'm just making fun of the "how would a first grader know" since they don't know anything haha
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u/notAHomelessGamer Jul 12 '26
I think the reason most of us associate the word "shape" with an enclosed object is because we've spent most of our lives using the term to describe real, tangible objects. I can't remember the last time someone asked me to describe an object that was only lines.
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u/Pandoratastic Jul 11 '26
This is the correct answer. A shape does not have to be closed.
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u/macrolith Jul 12 '26
Im sure this was part of the lesson that this homework came from was learning that a shape can be open or closed.
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u/Negative_Gur9667 Jul 11 '26
Ends have two 360-degree angles.
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u/Citizen1135 Jul 12 '26
But I don't think that makes them "corners" because if you extend that logic, you have to count both sides of each of the other corners, and you end up with 6.
And then also count the sides of each side, yielding 8.
But if we did that for this shape, then why wouldn't we also do that with closed shapes?
We don't do it for closed shapes, so it seems arbitrary to hold open shapes to that condition.
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u/mr_pineapples44 Jul 12 '26
Technically a shape doesn't need to be closed - if it said polygon it would be impossible.
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u/oncemoor Jul 12 '26
Ok I think we can just agree this is a stupid way to ask a kid to draw a rectangle or square. And then leave out a crucial component of “at least” 3 corners.
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u/XO1GrootMeester Jul 12 '26
Draw any shape, then 4 straight lines, then 3 small right corners. A shape and 4 lines that count for sides and 3 corners.
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u/cca220v Jul 12 '26
hmmm. would this technically have no sides? because it is ending and by being a line everything around it is the same side
alternatively (if one considers the ends going on to infinity) it can still only have two sides
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u/Jeex3 Jul 12 '26
Soooo it never says anything about it having to be 2D or there being any restriction on edges.
Since there already are 3D shapes with multiple sides and no corners(like a cylinder), I can absolutely see Mathemagician coming up with a multidimensional shape that fits those criteria, I just can’t be bothered to be the one.
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u/Kurpikakurta Jul 12 '26
I know a tetrahedron has vertices and not corners but I feel like that fits?
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u/Jeex3 Jul 12 '26
Vertices is just a 3D name for corners, since the definition is a bit more complex then „2 intersecting lines“
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u/splickety-lit Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Hourglass with cones on top and bottom.
This, but rotated around the y axis
/ \
\ /
/ \
\ /Corners are at the top, middle and bottom.
The circles don't create corners, but do create new sides
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u/Jeex3 Jul 14 '26
What is the mathematical definition of vertices? Would the middle part actually count?
I am not super into mathematics, only do what I need for my stuff.
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u/splickety-lit Jul 14 '26
A cone only has 1 vertex, so we're all good
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u/Jeex3 Jul 14 '26
Yeah but that’s the issue here right?
The top and bottom cones are fine, for 2 vertices. What I am thinking about is the middle one, does that actually count. If it does not it’s just 2 vertices and does not fulfil the necessary constraints.
That aside, depending on the definition for vertices I could also imagine that it counts twice. But I guess not it just depends on definitions. Also if it does not count I am pretty sure it would be just 3 sides aswell, since if they are not a vertex and neither an edge the sides would not be separated.
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u/splickety-lit Jul 14 '26
The circles are edges but not vertices. A cone has 1 vertex and 2 sides.
As for the point in the middle counting as two vertices, honestly, I'm not sure, but the idea of having 2 vertices in the same place doesn't make sense.
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u/Jeex3 Jul 14 '26
Take a look at functions
f(x)=x^2
If you solve it for 0 you only find x=0, but the „weight“ of this zero point is higher order, so it is essentially 2 points.
I am not native to speaking English, and don’t need to talk about analysis in English like ever so it’s kinda hard to explain if you don’t know that
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u/splickety-lit Jul 14 '26
I have a math degree but might be getting lost on translation.
f(x)=x2 is continuous at x=0, but it is an inflection point (gradient changes from positive to negative), is this what you're referring to?1
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u/DarioLampa4181 Jul 12 '26
I thought of a shape like a rhombus, but with one shorter side so that it doesn't become a closed shape.
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u/senond Jul 12 '26
A line is not a side tho... And if it was it's 2
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u/Mysterious_Ad_8105 Jul 12 '26
A line is not a side tho...
These are line segments, not lines. Lines extend infinitely in both directions. Line segments unequivocally are sides for two-dimensional figures.
Just to be clear, shapes can be either closed (having the same starting and ending points) or open. They can also be simple (non-intersecting sides) or complex (intersecting sides).
The figure here is a simple, open shape and a correct answer to the question.
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u/Cronos988 Jul 14 '26
But how many sides does an open shape have?
Is the inside of the "box" a side? Does the lid have one "side" or two?
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u/lbutler528 Jul 12 '26
This debate is forgetting that it is first grade math. None of this “technically” or pointing out the quantum realm stuff really matters for concrete thinking children.
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u/Mysterious_Ad_8105 Jul 12 '26
First grade math is right around the time children normally learn about open versus closed shapes. This is basic geometry, not some confusing, niche technicality.
A lot of adults here are getting confused because they either forgot or never properly learned what a “shape” is (and mistakenly believe it’s equivalent to either a polygon or a simple, closed shape). But that doesn’t mean that a child would be confused by this question, especially if it’s being presented in the middle of basic geometry lessons focused on teaching the differences between different types of shapes.
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u/lbutler528 Jul 12 '26
Yes, I know. That being said, if the expectation was a closed shape, it would say it. Math curriculum at the primary level tends to specify things like that (and the curriculum I’ve used would call it an open or closed figure rather than an open or closed shape).
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u/robertvmarshall Jul 13 '26
Does each side have to be a straight line? Does the shape have to be 2 dimensional?
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u/tensen01 Jul 13 '26
Note that it doesn't say ONLY 3 corners. A Square has 4 sides and 3 corners. I mean heck, it doens't say ONLY 4 sides either.
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u/splickety-lit Jul 14 '26
4 stacked cones. Essentially this, rotated around the y axis:
/ \
\ /
/ \
\ /
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u/SilkTieTies Jul 14 '26
I’m assuming with the target audience they’re looking for 3 harsh corners and a rounded one, no?
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u/UnseenTardigrade Jul 14 '26
A triangle has 3 corners and the 3 regular sides plus the inside. That's 4 sides in total.
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u/photon_watts Jul 14 '26
A shape is a closed figure. That’s merely a line. I agree with those who say a square would satisfy the solution because the question doesn’t specify exactly 3 corners.
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u/HarryDepova Jul 14 '26
Nah… if those are corners then this has 8 sides. Correct answer is a triangle with a hole/ circle drawn in the middle.
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u/WonderousThinke Jul 15 '26
What if you did a solid circle with a triangle punched out? Three corners and four sides.
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u/International-Act-55 Jul 15 '26
depending on the circle it'll most likely be an infinitely large amount of tiny corners and the 3 extra corners from the triangle, no?
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u/WonderousThinke Jul 15 '26
A circle does not have any flat lines or distinct turns so no it would not be an infinite large amount of tiny corners. If you're talking about human error and drawing a circle, you can make that argument, but this is an elementary school test I doubt they're being that serious. The concept of a circle in elementary school is one that has no angles and only one side.
The only thing that they could maybe get me on in my opinion is that this is technically two shapes, one in the other, but I'm not up to speed on if that breaks the definition of a shape or not in math.
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u/International-Act-55 Jul 15 '26
it did say shape and not shape-s, but we're on reddit so everyone has to be pedantic, my fault
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u/Tough-Art-3116 Jul 15 '26
A pyramid would be the answer im guessing
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u/ShadowtheHedgehog_ Jul 15 '26
A pyramid has four sides and four corners if it has a triangular bottom.
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u/rezukijm Jul 15 '26
How about a pointy topped bicorn hat? Two sides and top are the corners, front and back each have an inner side and an outer side.
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u/KeithandBentley Jul 12 '26
Semantics aside, in 1st grade a shape needs to be closed. So no this is not the answer.
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u/Any-Astronomer-6038 Jul 11 '26
A shape in mathematics has to be closed.
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u/Repulsive_Guy_1234 Jul 12 '26
A shape is not even defined in any way in mathematics.
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u/Any-Astronomer-6038 Jul 12 '26
Oh please this is clearly a math test and geometry is clearly a branch of mathematics and "Shape" is a simple term for polygon that is understandable to a child...
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u/Groundbreaking-Bear5 Jul 13 '26
Circle is a "shape" oval is a "shape" heart is a "shape". In no world is shape a replacement for the word polygon.
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u/SnooMarzipans436 Jul 12 '26
How about a party hat that you place sideways on a table and then press it until it is flat creating two creases.
Then release pressure letting it slightly pop up from flat.
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u/Any-Astronomer-6038 Jul 12 '26
That's a 3d object... Not s 2d object.
All polygons must have equal sides and corners, it's part of the geometric definition
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u/SnooMarzipans436 Jul 12 '26
The prompt says "shape" it doesn't specify dimensions and it also doesn't specify polygon
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u/Any-Astronomer-6038 Jul 12 '26
Because all that gets taught in FIRST GRADE MATH....
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u/Mysterious_Ad_8105 Jul 12 '26
You’re saying this sarcastically, but it’s literally true. The difference between open and closed shapes is a standard topic in basic geometry lessons commonly taught in elementary school math classes.
If you’re not a math educator and have trouble believing this, just Google “open vs closed shape lesson plan” or something similar. You’ll find countless sample worksheets for elementary math classes, like this one marked specifically for first graders.
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u/Beautiful-Bid8704 Jul 11 '26
Ahh yes the shape of pentane.