Which geometric shape has 20 faces and 12 vertices?

The geometric shape with 20 faces and 12 vertices is an icosahedron. An icosahedron belongs to the category of polyhedra known as regular polyhedra or Platonic solids. It is characterized by its twenty equilateral triangular faces, which contribute to its symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing structure.

In addition to having 20 faces, the icosahedron also has 30 edges and 12 vertices. The relationship and balance of these face, edge, and vertex counts are defined by Euler's formula for convex polyhedra, which states that V - E + F = 2, where V is the number of vertices, E is the number of edges, and F is the number of faces. In the case of the icosahedron, substituting the values shows that the formula holds true: 12 - 30 + 20 = 2.

This geometric figure is famously known for its prevalence in various natural phenomena and its applications in fields such as chemistry, where it is present in the structure of certain viruses. Understanding the properties and characteristics of shapes like the icosahedron helps build a foundational knowledge in geometry, particularly in the study of polyhedra.