A jigsaw puzzle has 2 pieces. One of the pieces is shown above. Which one of the given options for the missing piece when assembled will form a rectangle? The piece can be moved, rotated or flipped to assemble with the above piece. A. [A piece with interlocking notches that is the mirror complement of the given piece] B. [A piece with a different notch pattern that does not complement the given piece] C. [A piece with extra protrusions that overlap the given piece] D. [A piece whose straight edge does not match the step-cut profile of the given piece]
GATE 2021 · General Aptitude · Assembling Pieces · medium
Answer: Option A is the correct answer. The piece in option A, when assembled with the given piece (allowing rotation or flipping), forms a complete rectangle.
- Trace the interior cut of the given piece: The given piece has a stepped notch pattern along its right edge — a series of rectangular tabs and slots running top-to-bottom. Count and note the dimensions of each tab and slot.
- Check outer boundary of each option: Options B, C, and D have outer edges that are not straight or have incorrect overall proportions. When mentally combined with the given piece, the outer boundary does not form a clean rectangle, eliminating them.
- Verify option A by profile matching: Option A, when rotated 180 degrees (or flipped), presents an interior cut profile that is the exact negative of the given piece's profile — every tab on one piece fits into the corresponding slot on the other. The assembled outer boundary is a clean rectangle.