Shown on the left is a futon that becomes a mattress when opened and folds into a seat. Which option CANNOT be folded as a seat?
Show Hint
In folding problems, pay close attention to the relative sizes and proportions of the component parts in both the folded and unfolded states. An inconsistency in proportion is often the key to finding the correct answer.
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a reverse folding problem. We are given the final folded object (a futon seat) and several unfolded versions (mattresses). We need to identify which mattress, due to the size and arrangement of its segments, cannot be folded to form the seat shown.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. Deconstruct the folded seat into its component parts: a backrest, a main seat cushion, and a front/ottoman section.
2. Observe the relative proportions of these parts in the final folded form. For example, the seat cushion and the ottoman part appear to have the same depth.
3. Analyze each unfolded mattress to see if its segments have the correct proportions to form the parts of the seat. The mattress that has incorrectly proportioned segments is the one that cannot be folded correctly.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the folded futon on the left. It has three main parts:
A backrest.
A seat cushion (the main part one sits on).
A front base/ottoman.
Visually, the depth of the seat cushion and the depth of the ottoman appear to be roughly equal. This implies that the segments of the mattress that form these two parts should be of similar length.
Now let's examine the unfolded mattresses:
(A), (B), and (D): In these options, the main rectangular segments of the mattress all appear to have roughly the same length. This proportional consistency allows them to be folded into a base, seat, and backrest that would look like the target futon. For instance, in option B, the thick middle part could be the seat, the right part could fold up to be the back, and the left part could fold under to be the ottoman. The proportions seem correct.
(C): In this option, the leftmost segment is significantly shorter than the other main segments (like the thick segment next to it). If the thick segment forms the main seat cushion, this short segment would have to form the front/ottoman part. This would result in a folded futon with a very short ottoman, which is inconsistent with the proportions of the target image. The components are not sized correctly to produce the final shape.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The mattress in option (C) has a segment that is out of proportion with the others. This would prevent it from folding into a futon with the balanced proportions shown in the image on the left. Therefore, (C) is the option that CANNOT be folded as a seat.
