For complex 3D sequence problems, deconstruct the object into smaller, manageable parts. Analyze the transformation (rotation, translation, addition, etc.) for each part separately. Combine the transformations to predict the next state.
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a 3D spatial reasoning problem involving a sequence of transformations. We need to identify the rules governing the change from one object to the next in the series to predict the final object.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The object is composed of several blocks. Let's break down the transformation into the movement of its constituent parts. We can observe two main components: a larger 'base' structure and a smaller 'top' L-shaped piece.
Rotation of the Base: The base is a U-shaped structure made of 5 cubes. Let's track the position of the opening in the 'U'.
In Shape 1, the opening is at the back-left.
In Shape 2, the opening is at the front-left.
In Shape 3, the opening is at the front-right.
In Shape 4, the opening is at the back-right.
This shows that the base structure is rotating 90 degrees clockwise (when viewed from above) in each step.
Rotation of the Top Piece: The top piece is an L-shape made of 2 cubes. Let's track its orientation.
In Shape 1, it points forward.
In Shape 2, it has rotated 90 degrees clockwise to point to the right.
In Shape 3, it has rotated another 90 degrees clockwise to point backward.
In Shape 4, it has rotated another 90 degrees clockwise to point to the left.
This shows that the top L-shaped piece is also rotating 90 degrees clockwise in each step, relative to the cube it rests upon.
Predicting the Next Shape (Shape 5):
The base of Shape 4 (opening at back-right) will rotate 90 degrees clockwise, placing the opening at the back-left. This is the same orientation as the base in Shape 1.
The top piece of Shape 4 (pointing left) will rotate 90 degrees clockwise, making it point forward. This is the same orientation as the top piece in Shape 1.
Therefore, the fifth shape in the sequence must be identical to the first shape. We now need to find the option that matches Shape 1.
Step 3: Final Answer:
By comparing the options with Shape 1 (base opening at back-left, top L-piece pointing forward), we can see that Option D is an exact match.
