ASVAB · Fitting Parts Together

In a fitting-parts question, if one of the disassembled pieces is an L-shape (like a right-angle bracket), what changes are allowed when fitting it into the assembled answer?

Correct answer

It can be rotated (turned to any angle) and flipped (mirrored to its mirror image), but its dimensions stay exactly the same — same arm lengths, same angles

  1. A It cannot be moved or rotated
  2. B It can be rotated (turned to any angle) and flipped (mirrored to its mirror image), but its dimensions stay exactly the same — same arm lengths, same angles
  3. C It can be stretched to make it longer
  4. D It can be split into multiple pieces

Why this is the answer

ALLOWED transformations on Assembling Objects pieces: (1) ROTATION — turn the piece any number of degrees around any axis; (2) TRANSLATION — move the piece to any position; (3) REFLECTION (FLIP/MIRROR) — turn the piece into its mirror image (like flipping it over a line). NOT ALLOWED: (1) SCALING — make piece larger or smaller; (2) DISTORTING — change angles, change side lengths relative to each other; (3) BREAKING — split into multiple pieces; (4) ADDING/REMOVING parts. An L-shape with two arms can be: rotated to point in any direction (north, south, east, west, or any angle); flipped so the 'foot' of the L is on the opposite side (mirror image); but the lengths of the two arms and the right angle between them must be preserved. STRATEGY: when looking at the disassembled L-shape and the answer choices, ignore the orientation in the disassembled view — focus on the SHAPE. Then look at the answer figure and see if there's an L-shape with those exact arm lengths somewhere in the assembled figure. The L could be rotated to look like a backward L, an upside-down L, a sideways L, or a mirrored L (J-shape). All are the same piece in this test. Practice tip: when you have time outside the exam, try physically picking up an L-shape paper cutout and rotating/flipping it to see all the orientations it can take. This builds the mental image fast.
Source: ASVAB AO, Allowed Transformations