A net must fold without overlap

1 · Learn

A net is a flat arrangement of faces that can fold into a solid. Six squares are necessary for a cube net but not sufficient: some arrangements overlap or fail to meet properly.

Use face adjacency and edges to predict a fold, then check with a model. For circles, the diameter crosses the centre and equals twice the radius; circumference names the distance around, not the diameter.

The illustrated net has four squares in a row and one square above and below the second square. The row wraps around four side faces; the two attached squares close the ends. Trace or draw it before an adult-approved paper fold. The separate circle marks a radius from centre to edge and a diameter all the way across the centre.

2 · Worked example

A circle with radius 4 cm has diameter 8 cm. Separately, I test a proposed cube net by marking opposite faces before folding rather than accepting any row of six squares.

3 · Your turn

A circle has diameter 18 cm. Find its radius. Why is counting six squares not enough to prove a cube net works?

4 · Apply your learning

Test approved paper net diagrams and sketch a circle with its centre, radius and diameter labelled.