Question 1
A square paper is folded diagonally from top-left to bottom-right. A hole is punched near the center of folded triangle. What pattern appears when unfolded?
Detailed Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1 - Understanding Diagonal Folds:
- Diagonal folds create 45-degree symmetry
- The fold line runs corner to corner (top-left to bottom-right)
- Creates a triangular shape with 2 layers
- Fold direction: diagonally from top-left to bottom-right
Step 2 - Geometric Analysis:
- Original: Square with 4 corners
- After fold: Triangle with 3 visible corners
- Hidden corner: Bottom-right under folded layers
- Symmetry axis: Diagonal line at 45° from top-left to bottom-right
- Layer structure: 2 overlapping triangular layers
Step 3 - Hole Punch Location:
- Position: near the center of folded triangle
- Coordinate mapping: (45,55) in 100x100 coordinate system
- Penetration: Through both triangular layers
- Important: Position relative to diagonal symmetry axis
Step 4 - Mental Unfolding Technique:
- Keep one triangular layer fixed (bottom layer)
- Rotate the other layer 180° around diagonal axis
- The hole on the moving layer traces to its symmetric position
- Use coordinate transformation: (x,y) → (y,x) for this diagonal
- Result: Two holes diagonally symmetric across the diagonal
Step 5 - Pattern Recognition:
- Diagonal symmetry creates diagonal hole pattern
- Both holes equidistant from diagonal fold line
- Perpendicular distance from fold is equal for both holes
- Visual pattern: Two holes symmetric about the main diagonal
- Final answer: Two holes diagonally symmetric across the diagonal
Pro Visualization Tip:
Imagine the paper as a book cover. When you open it (unfold), the mark on one side appears mirrored on the other side across the spine (fold line).
Advanced Technique:
For diagonal folds, use coordinate geometry. If the hole is at position (x, y) on the folded triangle, the symmetric hole appears at position (y, x) when unfolded across the diagonal.
Common Pitfall: Don't confuse diagonal symmetry with horizontal/vertical symmetry. Diagonal folds at 45° create patterns along that diagonal axis, not along the edges.
Coordinate Verification:
Original hole: (45,55)
Mirror hole: (55,45) [for top-left to bottom-right diagonal]
Check symmetry: Both equidistant from line y=x