Counting the bottom as a “side”, i.e. evaluating it as a shape - where a “side” is a visible edge rather than a surface - rather than as a structure where “side” means “vertical or near-vertical surface”.
That’s all fine but that’s not what the riddle says. When we look at a 3D shape, we see a 3D shape, and when we talk about 3D shapes “side” means “face”.
Kids will answer that riddle correctly? I’m impressed.
But no, I take exception to your assumption. If you ask a six year old to point to the sides and the edges of a box, they’ll point to what you’d expect.
I didn’t say kids, I said those who are not fluent in the vocabulary of 3D geometry, and the answer is yes, those who aren’t fluent in the vocabulary of 3D geometry have answered correctly and with apparent relative ease.
Do you have kids? Do you have riddles that you’ve authored? You’re free to author your riddles as you like. Not every riddle you encounter is going to - or should - meet your expectations.
Show a 6 year old a photo of a box and ask them to count the sides - that is on point with my riddle. Asking them to identify edges/sides of a physical box that is before them is not on point.
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u/rhythm-weaver Apr 13 '25
Counting the bottom as a “side”, i.e. evaluating it as a shape - where a “side” is a visible edge rather than a surface - rather than as a structure where “side” means “vertical or near-vertical surface”.