Nets and cubes

Hello, and welcome to Myriora Non-verbal Reasoning! A net is a flat shape that folds up to make a solid. Today we'll look at the nets of a cube.

A cube has six faces, so its net has six squares. But not every six squares will work. Pick one square as the base, and fold the others up in your head. Each one must land on a different face.

This one can't work. It has a block of four squares. Those four squares lie flat, and they can't fold round a corner. So a block of four means no cube.

Now for opposite faces. Look along a straight line of squares. Two squares with one square between them end up opposite each other. So these two are opposite, and so are these two.

Let's try one together. Which of these folds up to make a cube? Here's a tip: look for a block of four. Say it out loud!

The answer is picture B! It has four squares in a row, with one square on each side.

Here's a common mistake. Thinking that any six joined squares will do. Fold it in your head, one square at a time. If two squares land on the same face, it isn't a cube.

Your turn! This net folds into a cube. Which face is opposite the black one? Pick the right card. You've got ten seconds, or pause the video. Go!

Time's up! The answer is the dot! There's one square between the black square and the dot, in a straight line.

Quick review. A cube's net has six squares. A block of four can't fold into a cube. Fold it in your head, one square at a time. Squares with one between them are opposite. See you next time!