Question

a rectangular prism is sliced perpendicular to its base. what is the shape of the cross section? the cross section is a dropdown with options: square, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the rectangular prism

A rectangular prism has rectangular faces. When sliced perpendicular to the base, the cross - section will have sides that are perpendicular to each other (since the prism's edges are perpendicular) and opposite sides equal.

Step2: Compare with the options

• A square has all sides equal. But in a general rectangular prism (not necessarily a cube), the cross - section when sliced perpendicular to the base will have length and height (or other dimensions) that may not be equal. However, a rectangle has opposite sides equal and all angles 90 degrees.
• A parallelogram is a more general case, but since the slice is perpendicular, the angles are right angles, so it's a rectangle (a special case of a parallelogram with right angles). A trapezoid has only one pair of parallel sides, which is not the case here.

Answer:

rectangle (the option: rectangle)