Study Material — 9 PYQs (2024–2024) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
SBI PO Paper Folding & Cutting is a frequently tested subtopic — 9 previous year questions from 2024–2024 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
SBI PO Paper Folding & Cutting — Past Exam Questions
9 questions from actual SBI PO papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12024Previous Year Pattern
A square piece of paper is folded once along its diagonal. After unfolding, how many triangular regions are created by the fold line?
Exam Q 22024Previous Year Pattern
A square piece of paper is folded once along its diagonal. How many layers of paper will be visible if you look at the folded paper from above?
Exam Q 32024Previous Year Pattern
A square paper has a small circle drawn in its center. The paper is folded once along a vertical line through the center. After unfolding, how many circles will be visible on the paper?
Exam Q 42024Previous Year Pattern
A rectangular piece of paper is folded in half horizontally (top edge meets bottom edge). Then it is folded in half vertically (left edge meets right edge). Two small holes are punched through the folded paper. When the paper is completely unfolded, how many holes will be visible?
Exam Q 52024Previous Year Pattern
A square piece of paper is folded along its diagonal, then the resulting triangle is folded in half along its height (from the right angle to the hypotenuse). After unfolding completely, how many distinct regions are created on the original square?
Exam Q 62024Previous Year Pattern
A rectangular paper is folded in half lengthwise, then folded in half widthwise. Three corners of the resulting folded rectangle are punched with a hole. When the paper is completely unfolded, how many holes appear on the original paper?
Exam Q 72024Previous Year Pattern
A rectangular paper (length 2× width) is folded by bringing the top-right corner to touch the bottom-left corner. The paper is then cut along the fold line created. How many pieces result, and what is the shape of the larger piece?
Exam Q 82024Previous Year Pattern
A square paper is folded in half vertically, then in half horizontally, then in half diagonally. Three small holes are punched through all layers at three different positions. When the paper is completely unfolded, how many holes appear on the paper?
Exam Q 92024Previous Year Pattern
A rectangular paper is folded such that one corner touches the opposite edge (not the opposite corner). After this single fold, the visible outline of the folded paper is a pentagon. The paper is then cut along the fold line. How many pieces result, and what is the total number of sides among all pieces?
Concept Notes
Paper Folding & Cutting— Rules & Concept
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Core Concept
When paper is folded and cut, the cuts create symmetric patterns when unfolded. Each fold creates a mirror effect. The number of holes depends on how many times the paper was folded
Key Rules
First, count the number of folds carefully. Each fold doubles the number of holes. One cut on a paper folded once = 2 holes. One cut on a paper folded twice = 4 holes.
Second, holes appear symmetrically around fold lines. Third, the position of holes mirrors across each fold line. Fourth, the shape of holes remains the same, only position changes.
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL typically asks 1-2 questions on this topic. Questions show 2-4 folding steps followed by cutting. You get 4 answer choices showing different unfolded patterns. The cuts are usually simple shapes - circles, triangles, or small squares.
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
Use the 'Fold Count Formula' - Number of holes = 2^(number of folds) × number of cuts. For symmetry, imagine drawing lines where folds occurred. Holes must appear symmetrically on both sides of these imaginary lines.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Count folds = 2 folds (vertical + horizontal)
2
Step 2
Count cuts = 1 cut (one circle)
3
Step 3
Apply formula = 2^2 × 1 = 4 holes
4
Step 4
Determine positions - Original cut was at top-right of folded paper. When unfolded, holes appear at all four corners (top-right, top-left, bottom-right, bottom-left) due to symmetry around both fold lines.
5
Step 5
Verify symmetry - Draw imaginary vertical and horizontal lines through center. Holes are symmetric around both lines.
Advanced Trick: For complex folding, trace the cut position backwards through each fold. Start from the final cut position and mirror it across each fold line in reverse order.
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students often forget to account for all folds or miscalculate symmetry. Remember that each fold creates a new axis of symmetry. Also, don't confuse the number of paper layers with the number of holes.
Focus on fold lines, not thickness.
Key Points to Remember
Each fold doubles the number of holes created by cuts
Holes appear symmetrically around all fold lines
Formula: Number of holes = 2^(folds) × number of cuts
Position of holes mirrors across each fold axis
Shape of cut remains same, only position multiplies
Count fold steps carefully before applying formula
Draw imaginary lines at fold positions to check symmetry
Work backwards from cut to unfold position step by step
Exam-Specific Tips
SSC CGL typically includes 1-2 paper folding questions per exam
Maximum folds shown in SSC questions is usually 3-4 folds
Most common cuts are circles, triangles, and small rectangles
Questions always provide exactly 4 answer options showing unfolded patterns
Each fold creates one axis of symmetry in the final pattern
Corner cuts are the most frequently tested cutting positions
Questions are worth 2 marks each in SSC CGL Tier-I
Time allocation should be maximum 1 minute per question
60-Second Revision — Paper Folding & Cutting
Remember: Each fold doubles the hole count from cuts
Formula: Holes = 2^(number of folds) × cuts made
Trick: Holes must be symmetric around all fold lines
Method: Count folds first, then apply symmetry rules
Trap: Don't confuse paper thickness with number of holes
Speed tip: Eliminate options that violate symmetry immediately