Which of the answer figures can be made by joining all the pieces shown in Figure (X)? The pieces may be turned round; the lines in each answer figure show how it is cut.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) →
A figure can be formed from the pieces only if it is cut into exactly the 4 pieces of Figure (X), each with the same shape and size (a piece may be turned round). The 4 pieces of Figure (X), turned round where needed, fit together as the octagon of Option (4), as shown in the same colours below.
Option (1) — Incorrect. The line between its middle piece and its top-left piece is in a different place: the middle piece has half a small square less and the top-left piece half a small square more, so neither of them is one of the given pieces.
Option (2) — Incorrect. It is cut differently: its pieces are not the pieces of Figure (X), even when turned round.
Option (3) — Incorrect. The line between its top-left piece and its middle piece is in a different place: the top-left piece has half a small square less and the middle piece half a small square more, so neither of them is one of the given pieces.