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Oblique Projection

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star
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If you are not familiar with Oblique Projection, start by reading our article 3D Drawing.

multilink structureHere is another view of the multilink structure discussed in 3D Drawing.

Draw it in Oblique Projection - you may find using squared paper helpful.

Now try drawing it again, this time with a different face as the front.

Which properties of the original structure are preserved in your drawings, which are not?  You should think about:

  • the relationship between the lengths of the edges of the cubes
  • the angles between them
  • parallel and perpendicular lines


What do you think the advantages of Oblique Projection are?  What disadvantages are there with this method of representing 3D objects in 2D?

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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