A simple and universal relation links the number of vertices, edges and faces of every convex polyhedron.

Theorem — Euler's formula

For every convex polyhedron: VS+F=2,V - S + F = 2, where VV is the number of vertices, SS that of the edges and FF that of the faces.

Check on the first Platonic solids: tetrahedron 46+4=24-6+4=2 ✓, cube 812+6=28-12+6=2 ✓, octahedron 612+8=26-12+8=2 ✓.

Topics: Synthetic geometry in space
Concepts: Euler’s formula · Polyhedron
Skills: Synthetic geometry
People: Leonhard Euler