Paper folding
Strategy card
A fold line acts like a mirror.
- Step 1: Find each fold, in order.
- Step 2: Unfold the LAST fold first.
- Step 3: Each hole gets a mirror twin across that fold line.
- Step 4: Keep unfolding, doubling the holes each time.
Tip: Count: 1 fold makes 2 holes, 2 folds make 4.
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 1 column 3, row 3 column 2
- B: paper with 2 holes at row 1 column 2, row 4 column 2 (the answer)
- C: paper with 2 holes at row 2 column 4, row 4 column 4
- D: paper with 1 hole at row 1 column 2
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 bottom half up onto the top. 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 left half over onto the right. Then punch one hole.
Keep practicing
Grown-ups: Make paper snowflakes and predict the design. Parent guide
Next lesson: Rule out wrong answers