What is the relationship between the number of sides of the base of a prism and the number of lateral faces? The number of sides
of the base of a prism is less than the number of lateral faces. The number of sides of the base of a prism and the number of lateral faces is equal. The number of sides of the base of a prism is greater than the number of lateral faces. There is no consistent relationship between the number of sides of the base of a prism and the number of lateral faces.
Every prism has as many faces, and edges, as its base has sides. Thus, a prism with an octagonal (eight sided) base has eight lateral faces, and eight lateral edges. Each lateral face meets two other lateral faces, as well as the two bases. As a consequence, each lateral face is a four sided polygon.
