3D visualization test

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I was wondering how many people can do this test. Be sure to give yourself a few minutes to do it. Please don’t participate in the survey if you already know the answer. Also, don’t leave spoilers in the top few posts. Thanks.

Okay, here goes:

Part I:

First visualize a cube sitting flat on a piece of paper…

Now picture the cube being rolled up so that it becomes balanced on a single corner point…

Now visualize the cube being forced straight down through the piece of paper, cutting a perfect hole as it passes through (If it helps imagine that the paper is made out of a soft butter-like material so that the cube cuts a very clean hole)...

Now think about the shape of the hole created by the cube as it passed through the paper…

For the best results I would prefer that you don’t give up immediately and look at the answer. If you can’t figure it out in your head see if you can figure it out by drawing a picture, viewing a die, or using some other visual aid. Give yourself at least a few minutes.

Solution video: http://alem3d.obidos.org/i/cubeice/cuicsv.gif

Note: This solution isn't exactly what you are supposed to visualize as it doesn't literally show a hole being cut. The actual hole is the entire shape outlined in black on the right hand side (not the moving blue shaded region).

Part II:

Now answer the following questions. Please be as honest as possible (this test is harder than it would seem for most people).

1.) I determined the correct shape of the hole left by the cube…

a.) immediately when I visualized the cube passing through the paper or after less than a minute of thought.
b.) after a minute or more of thinking and reasoning through the problem without any visual aids.
c.) only after using visual aids (e.g. drawing a picture or looking at a die)
d.) only after viewing the solution video (or learning the solution from another post).

2.) I am…

a.) male
b.) female

3.) I am…

a.) diagnosed aspergers
b.) diagnosed HFA
c.) diagnosed other autism spectrum disorder
d.) not diagnosed but suspect that I am on the autism spectrum
e.) not on the autism spectrum

Part III:

Post your answers to the three questions.

For example write 1b, 2a, 3c.

I will tabulate the results. I’d like to see what the statistics look like. This isn’t a homework assignment or anything special. I’m only doing this for my own amusement and curiosity.

Thanks.

Last edited by marshall on 01 Apr 2008, 4:07 am, edited 19 times in total.

1d
2a
3d

EDIT:
I thought i had it right. But it wasnt the case. I got it completely wrong

1-a
2-b
3-e

Um yeah ok I was wrong. Teach me for not thinking

Last edited by Mum2ASDboy on 31 Mar 2008, 2:04 am, edited 1 time in total.

click on the solution video after question one

Yeah I did that after I posted. I really thought it be something else.

1-a -> my vision was a lot more reality like than the solution, the solution doesn't quite fit the questions
2-b
3-a

Sorry. It was the best I could find on the internet. I think I see what you're saying. The animation shows how the cube intersects the plane but it doesn't show the entire hole at once.

I want to correct my description if it isn't clear what people should be visualizing.

Last edited by marshall on 31 Mar 2008, 4:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

1) d
2) b
3) d

1a 2a 3d

1. C
2. B
3. D

1B
2B
3D

(1. d) I was wrong. I should have thought about it a little bit. I just automatically assumed it would be square, without further thought.

(2.a)

(3.a)

1c
2b
3d

Gotcha

Don't feel bad. A lot of people automatically assume it will be square. That's why I tried to emphasize "take your time".

The trick is to view the cube on its point from a top-down perspective. It's difficult to visualize the shape it's going to make if you picture it from a sideways or oblique angle. I don't know how many people are able to literally see the hexagonal hole being cut into the paper as the cube passes through it. I can't quite do that in my head. Maybe there are some people here who can.

A lot of people realize the hole is going to be a hexagon only after they look at a die or attempt to draw a cube.

1.a
2.b
3.a

1 d)
2 b)
3 d)

Last edited by zen_mistress on 01 Apr 2008, 9:44 am, edited 1 time in total.