Paper Folding & Cutting
Paper Folding and Cutting is a core topic in the General Intelligence and Reasoning section. It tests a student's ability to imagine shapes in three-dimensional space. The basic premise is simple. A sheet of paper is folded several times according to a pattern. Dotted lines show the fold, and arrows show the direction. After folding, a shape is cut out or a hole is punched. The task is to determine how the paper looks when unfolded. To solve these problems, you must think in reverse.
Concepts (3)
When you unfold a paper vertically (left to right), the fold line acts as a vertical mirror. The cut shape is reflected across this line. For example, if a triangle points right and you unfold it to the left, the new triangle will point left.
When you unfold a paper vertically (left to right), the fold line acts as a vertical mirror. The cut shape is reflected across this line. For example, if a triangle points right and you unfold it to the left, the new triangle will point left. Both triangles will face each other.
Each fold doubles the number of paper layers. One fold creates 2 layers. Two folds create 4 layers. Three folds create 8 layers. If you punch one hole through 4 layers, you will see exactly 4 holes when the paper is fully opened.
Each fold doubles the number of paper layers. One fold creates 2 layers. Two folds create 4 layers. Three folds create 8 layers. If you punch one hole through 4 layers, you will see exactly 4 holes when the paper is fully opened. This helps count the total items in the answer.
In transparent sheet problems, patterns do not reflect. They overlap or stack. If you fold a transparent sheet with an 'L' shape on the left onto a 'V' shape on the right, the answer shows both 'L' and 'V' together in the same space.
In transparent sheet problems, patterns do not reflect. They overlap or stack. If you fold a transparent sheet with an 'L' shape on the left onto a 'V' shape on the right, the answer shows both 'L' and 'V' together in the same space.
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Start Lesson: Mirror Image Principle