The paper pattern below is folded along its lines into a cube. Which number ends up opposite 9?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → 8
When a sheet like this is folded into a cube, two squares in a straight line with one square between them become opposite faces, and the two squares on either side of the column of four fold onto the two side faces, which are also opposite. In the picture each pair has its own colour.
7 and 1: one square between them in the column
3 and 5: one square between them in the column
8 and 9: one square between them, on the two sides of the column
So the face opposite 9 is 8.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) 1 — Incorrect. 1 shares an edge with 9 on the sheet, so the two meet on the cube.
Option (2) 5 — Incorrect. 5 is opposite 3 (one square between them in the column).
Option (3) 7 — Incorrect. 7 is opposite 1 (one square between them in the column).