Paper folding
Strategy card
When paper folds, a hole goes through both layers.
- Step 1: Look at where the paper is folded.
- Step 2: See where the hole is punched.
- Step 3: Unfold in your head: the hole gets a twin on the other side.
- Step 4: The twin is the same distance from the fold, like a mirror.
Tip: Try it with real paper and a hole punch!
Worked example
The paper is folded, then a hole is punched through all the layers. What does it look like opened up?
Fold bottom half up onto the top. Then punch one hole.
- A: paper with 2 holes at row 2 column 2, row 2 column 3
- B: paper with 2 holes at row 2 column 3, row 3 column 3 (the answer)
- C: paper with 2 holes at row 2 column 2, row 3 column 2
- D: paper with 2 holes at row 3 column 3, row 4 column 3
Why: Every layer gets a hole. Unfold one step at a time: each fold line works like a mirror, so each hole gets a twin on the other side of the fold. 1 fold makes 2 holes in all.
Your turn
Your turn 1 of 3
The paper is folded, then a hole is punched through all the layers. What does it look like opened up?
Fold top half down onto the bottom. Then punch one hole.
Your turn 2 of 3
The paper is folded, then a hole is punched through all the layers. What does it look like opened up?
Fold right half over onto the left. Then punch one hole.
Your turn 3 of 3
The paper is folded, then a hole is punched through all the layers. What does it look like opened up?
Fold right half over onto the left. Then punch one hole.
Keep practicing
Grown-ups: Fold paper and punch holes together, then guess before opening. Parent guide
Next lesson: Rule out wrong answers