FTCE General Knowledge Math Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

A prism is defined by having two congruent and parallel bases that are connected by rectangular faces. The bases may take various shapes, such as triangles, rectangles, or polygons, but they must always be congruent, meaning they are identical in shape and size. Additionally, being parallel ensures that the sides of the prism maintain a consistent distance apart, which is crucial for the overall structure and volume of the prism.

The requirement for congruency and parallelism is what distinguishes a prism from other polyhedral shapes, as it guarantees that the cross-section of the prism remains constant along its height. This is fundamental to understanding the properties of prisms in geometry, such as calculating their volume and surface area.

Other potential characteristics are not required for a prism; for example, while it's possible for the bases to be circular, this is not a requirement as the bases can be any congruent shape. Similarly, the bases need not be elongated, nor is there any stipulation for one base to be longer than the other, which would contradict the definition of a prism.