A net is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional figure that is unfolded along its edges so that each face of the figure is shown in two dimensions.

Consider the rectangular prism shown.

Click the Start Animation button to show how the net below folds to create the prism that is shown.

The example shown above is a polyhedron. 

If you have completed Geometry module 1, lesson 11, you discovered Euler's Theorem for the relationship among vertices, faces, and edges of three-dimensional solids.

In that same lesson, you worked through conjectures about three-dimensional solids.  Now, you will use the information that you learned from that lesson and begin working with the nets of three-dimensional solids.

If you would like to learn more about three-dimensional solids before continuing this lesson, please refer to Geometry module 1, lesson 11, for more information.