Certify Teacher Practice Test

The geometric shape that is characterized by having three sides is indeed a triangle. A triangle is defined as a polygon that consists of three edges and three vertices, making it one of the simplest forms of polygons. It can take various forms, such as equilateral, isosceles, or scalene, but the key characteristic remains that it has exactly three sides. This distinctive feature sets it apart from other shapes, such as a square, which has four equal sides; a rectangle, which also has four sides but with opposite sides being equal; and a circle, which does not have straight sides or vertices at all. Each of these other shapes possesses different properties that differentiate them from a triangle, reinforcing the unique nature of triangles in geometric discussions.