Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video, we learn how to find the shortest path between two points on the surface of a cube by unfolding it into a two-dimensional net. We explore how geometry and the Pythagorean theorem help us determine the minimum distance and visualize the shortest route.
Courses on Khan Academy are always 100% free. Start practicing—and saving your progress—now!
khanacademy.org/math/class-8-ncf/x7eef1bd24a76901b:exploring-some-geometric-themes?lang=en
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
00:30 – Visualizing the shortest path on the surface of a cube
01:03 – Unfolding the cube into a net
01:16 – Key idea: Shortest path on a cube becomes a straight line on its net
02:55 – Example 1: Finding the shortest path between two points on a cuboid
04:09 – Applying the Pythagorean theorem
04:53 – Example 2
05:37 – Different unfoldings
06:00 – Calculating the shortest distance using Pythagoras
Khan Academy India is a nonprofit organization with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. We have videos and exercises that have been translated into multiple Indian languages, and 15 million people around the globe learn on Khan Academy every month.
Support Us: india.khanacademy.org/donate
In this video, we learn how to find the shortest path between two points on the surface of a cube by unfolding it into a two-dimensional net. We explore how geometry and the Pythagorean theorem help us determine the minimum distance and visualize the shortest route.
Courses on Khan Academy are always 100% free. Start practicing—and saving your progress—now!
khanacademy.org/math/class-8-ncf/x7eef1bd24a76901b:exploring-some-geometric-themes?lang=en
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
00:30 – Visualizing the shortest path on the surface of a cube
01:03 – Unfolding the cube into a net
01:16 – Key idea: Shortest path on a cube becomes a straight line on its net
02:55 – Example 1: Finding the shortest path between two points on a cuboid
04:09 – Applying the Pythagorean theorem
04:53 – Example 2
05:37 – Different unfoldings
06:00 – Calculating the shortest distance using Pythagoras
Khan Academy India is a nonprofit organization with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. We have videos and exercises that have been translated into multiple Indian languages, and 15 million people around the globe learn on Khan Academy every month.
Support Us: india.khanacademy.org/donate









