Paper folding is a type of reasoning problem in which a paper is folded one or more times and then cut or punched. After unfolding the paper, we are asked to imagine and identify the final pattern of cuts or holes.
How to Solve Paper Folding Questions
Follow the below steps to solve any kind of paper-folding-based question.
1. Observation: Observe the paper carefully, and note the shape of the paper.
2. Visualization: In your mind, carefully visualize the fold. Mostly you will find one-fold questions, which are easy to visualize, but sometimes you may encounter more than one-fold questions.
3. Elimination Method: Once you visualize the final outcome, try to use the elimination method to find the wrong answer, which clearly can't be the answer. Narrow down your choices.
4. Choose the best match that falls exactly the way you visualize.
Solved Examples on Paper Folding
Direction to solve: In each of the following problems, a square transparent sheet (X) with a pattern is given. Determine which of the four options would result in the pattern looking the way you want it to when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Q1. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option D is the correct answer. By carefully examining it, we can see that the red marked area will become common when the paper is folded. Both the parts of the curves come together to form a circle in option D.
Q2. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option B is the correct answer. As we can see the diameter of the circle and side of the square are of equal length so options A and D are directly eliminated. Option c gets eliminated as here square in rotate 90 degrees from the original image needs to be formed.
Q3. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option 1 is the correct answer. The first half of the paper will complete the circle in the second half. When the upper part of the square sheet is folded downward part of the semi-circle gets inverted and both form a circle.
Q4.In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option 3 is the correct answer. The triangle on the upper half will not change but the triangle on the second half will flip horizontally.
Q5. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option 3 is the correct answer. When the circle with an arrow is folded arrows in both halves of the paper will face in opposite directions as in option 3.
Q6. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: The lower portion will not change, as the lines in the upper side are vertical, again there will be no change in the direction of the lines. Option 4 is the correct answer.
Q7. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option 2 is the correct answer.
Q8. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option 2 is the correct answer. As we know X is drawn on transparent paper, so we can clearly observe the overlapping of the lines. The leaf of the second part will overlap and cover the leaf of the first part.
Q9. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option 3 is the correct answer. The first part of X will be the same square and will have a dot inside it in the first part, a circle with a dot inside it in the second part and the square will have a dot inside it in the third part.
Q10. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option 1is the correct answer. The figure has three curves so, after folding as well it should have three curves hence option 1 is correct.
Q11. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option 2 is the correct answer. Circle is in the middle and when we fold it from the middle we get a semicircle which is clearly shown in Option 2.
Q12. In the following problems, a square transparent sheet with a pattern is given. Figure out from amongst the four alternatives how the pattern would appear when the transparent sheet is folded at the dotted line.
Solution: Option 3 is the correct answer. When the inclined slanted line is folded it will form a triangle with a straight line hence option 3 is correct.
Practice Questions
Q1. A square paper is folded in half vertically and then in half horizontally. A single hole is punched through the folded paper near one corner. When the paper is completely unfolded, how many holes will appear?
A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 D. 8
Q2. A square sheet is folded once from left to right. A hole is punched near the folded edge. When unfolded, where will the holes appear?
A. At two symmetrical positions B. At the same position only C. At four positions D. At three positions
Q3. A paper is folded diagonally from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner. A hole is punched near the center of the folded paper. After unfolding, the holes will be:
A. On opposite sides of the diagonal B. Only on the diagonal C. In four corners D. In a straight horizontal line
Q4. A rectangular sheet is folded twice, first vertically and then horizontally. Two holes are punched through the folded sheet. How many holes will normally appear after completely unfolding it?
A. 4 B. 6 C. 8 D. 10
Q5. A square paper is folded along its vertical center line. A triangular cut is made on the folded edge. When the paper is opened completely, what will you observe?
A. One triangle B. Two symmetrical triangles C Four triangles D. No triangle
