Using a Dichotomous Key to Classify Shapes             Name __________________

            Today, you are going to gain some practice with a dichotomous key.  You will be using the key to classify shapes.  Choose one of the shapes from the attached sheet and use the key below to classify that shape.  Follow the choices until you find the name of that shape.  Finally, match the name of the shape with the number of the shape.

1.         If the shape is a triangle                                                 Go to 2

            If the shape is not a triangle                                                 Go to 5

2.         If it is a right triangle                                                                  Trius rightus

            If it is not a right triangle                                                 Go to 3

3.         If all angles are equal and all sides are equal                            Isoculusis

            If all the sides are not the same length                         Go to 4

4.         If two sides are the same length                                           Bisidus samus

            If each side is of different lengths                                     Sidus varius

5.         If there are four sides                                                                Go to 6

            If there are more than four sides                                              Go to 9

6.         If there are four sides and right angles                                     Go to 7

            If there are four sides and no right angles                           Parallel strangis

7.         If the sides are of equal length                                          Go to 8

            If the sides are not of equal length                                          Rectanglus normalus

8.         If the sides are one inch or longer                                        Squarus maximus

            If the sides are less than one inch                                        Squarus minimus

9.         If there are five sides                                                                 Go to 10

            If there are more than five sides                                              Go to 12

10.       If there are right angles present                                     Pentabus cephabus

            If there are no right angles present                                       Go to 11

11.       If the sides are of equal length                                          Pentabus regulus

            If the sides are not of equal length                                          Pentabus horribulus

12.       If there are six sides                                                                  Go to 13

            If there are more than six sides                                                Octogonus regulus

13.       If the six sides are of equal length                                          Hexagonus regulus

            If the six sides are not of equal length                          Hexagonus crystalus

Shape #                                    Name

    1                                          _____________________________________

    2                                          _____________________________________

    3                                          _____________________________________

    4                                          _____________________________________

    5                                          _____________________________________

    6                                          _____________________________________

    7                                          _____________________________________

    8                                          _____________________________________

    9                                          _____________________________________

    10                                        _____________________________________

    11                                        _____________________________________

    12                                        _____________________________________

    13                                        _____________________________________

    14                                        _____________________________________

 ~~~~Back to Industrial Revolution Introduction~~~~~

Adapted from idea by Kemtec Educational Corporation