Shapes are identified by their sides, corners, and curves — let's investigate!
A DEFINING ATTRIBUTE is a property that every shape in a group must have. Triangles always have exactly 3 sides and 3 corners. Squares always have 4 equal sides and 4 square corners. These never change, no matter how big or what color the shape is!
Attributes of common shapes:
Defining (always true)
Non-defining (can change)
A tilted triangle is still a triangle! Color and size are not defining attributes.
I have 4 sides. All my sides are equal. All my corners are square (90°). What shape am I? → A SQUARE! ⬛ Now: I have 3 sides and 3 corners. What am I? → A TRIANGLE! 🔺
Which attribute is a DEFINING attribute of all rectangles?
Remember This!
Defining attributes are the shape's "ID card." No matter how a shape is colored, sized, or tilted, its defining attributes never change!