Are these pipes shaped like spheres? Why or why not?
No, these pipes are not shaped like spheres. Several points on the surface are not the same distance from the center. The pipes have parallel circular bases. These pipes are cylinders.
Let's Practice
You’ve learned that a sphere is a three-dimensional, round figure and that every point on the sphere’s surface is the same distance from its center.
Practice using this definition to help you identify spheres by completing the activity below. Look at the image on each slide and determine if it is a sphere or not. Justify your answer using the definition of a sphere.
Are these traffic cones shaped like spheres? Explain your answer.
No, these traffic cones are not spheres because they’re not round.
Is this beach ball a sphere? Explain.
Yes! This beach ball is a sphere. It’s three-dimensional and round, and every point on its surface is the same distance from its center.
