CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GMD.B.4

MathGrades 9–12Geometric Measurement and Dimension

The standard

Identify the shapes of two-dimensional cross-sections of three-dimensional objects, and identify three-dimensional objects generated by rotations of two-dimensional objects.

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics

What this standard means

Students need to picture how a flat slice cuts through a solid, then name the shape of that slice. They also need to imagine a flat shape spinning around a line and identify the solid it creates.

Mastery looks like matching slices and rotations to shapes without guessing. Students can explain why a cylinder can have circular or rectangular cross-sections, depending on the cut. Common sticking points are diagonal slices, confusing surface views with cross-sections, and not tracking the axis of rotation.

Ways to teach it

  • Use play dough and dental floss to slice cubes, cylinders, cones, and spheres, then sketch and label each cross-section.
  • Ask students to explain what solid forms when a right triangle rotates around each leg, and why the results differ.
  • Show three quick diagrams of sliced solids and have students name each cross-section on mini whiteboards.
  • Connect to CT scan images by showing how stacked circular cross-sections can model a sphere or cylinder.

Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GMD.B.4

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Related standards

  • CCSS.Math.Content.K.G.A.3

    Identify shapes as two-dimensional (lying in a plane, "flat") or three-dimensional ("solid").

  • CCSS.Math.Content.K.G.B.4

    Analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes, in different sizes and orientations, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences,...

  • CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GMD.B

    Visualize relationships between two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects

  • CCSS.Math.Content.K.G.A

    Identify and describe shapes (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres).

Standard text verified against corestandards.org on July 10, 2026.

Page updated July 10, 2026.

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