Question

What would be the cross section of a rectangular prism that is sliced horizontally?

Answer 1

Hint: In order to find the cross section of a rectangular prism first we should know what is the cross section. A cross section refers to the shape we get after cutting out an object, either horizontally or vertically.

Complete answer:
We are given with a rectangular prism, which means that the length, breadth and height would not be the same.
When we cut and find the cross-section of the rectangular prism, we can see that there are different types of cross section, we get. For example, if we divide it vertically, maybe its length and breadth becomes equal and can give out a square, or may be a rectangle. Similarly, for other cross sections.

But, if we are cutting it in two parts horizontally, the base would remain a rectangle only, its height and breadth may get changed and so, we would again get a rectangular object most probably.
Let’s see with an example of a rectangular prism which is sliced horizontally from point POQ and, we get:
Before Slicing:

After Slicing it horizontally:

And, we obtained a rectangular figure after slicing from our example.
Therefore, the cross section of a rectangular prism that is sliced horizontally would always be a rectangle.

Note:
1) If we were given a square to find its cross section, then it can also be a rectangle as its side change’s or it can remain a square as its base would remain a square only.
2) Similarly, for other objects like cylindrical prism, triangular prism, the slicing or to find the cross-section method remains the same.
3) According to the definition of prism, the cross-section parallel to the base would always be uniform.
4) A rectangular prism is nothing but a cuboid.