Park City Mathematics Institute Geometrical Concepts from Constructions, Models, and Investigations

Rhombic Dodecahedron - Hidden Within or
Surrounding the Cube?
Joyce Frost and Kris Koch

Teacher Directions || Worksheet

MS Word Downloads:	rhombic.doc || worksheet.doc
PDF Downloads:	rhombic.pdf || worksheet.pdf || SRDnets.pdf || hinges.pdf

WHAT IS IT?
Classroom activity illustrating the interconnections between a cube and a rhombic dodecahedron.

GRADE LEVEL/STRAND
Secondary geometry

CLASS TIME
1-2 class periods

MATERIALS

• Teacher classroom set of Zome™ tools (if available)
• If Zome™ tools are not available, each group of 4 students could use 96 clear standard sized drinking straws (24 for each person) and blue and yellow curling ribbon to build a total of 12 square pyramids per group.
• Student worksheet

OBJECTIVES

• Increase students' and teachers' understanding of important geometrical concepts through the construction and analysis of three-dimensional models.
• Analyze and compare properties of the cube and its corresponding rhombic dodecahedron by dissecting and transforming the solid cube.
• Develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships of the cube and its corresponding rhombic dodecahedron.

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