A dice is numbered from 1 to 6 in different ways.

If 1 is adjacent to 2, 4 and 6, then which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Since the total number of dots on opposite faces is always 7, therefore 1 dot must lie opposite 6 dots, 2 dots must lie opposite 5 dots and 3 dots must lie opposite 4 dots. In each of the two figures (2) and (4), 2 dots appear adjacent to 5 dots, and in fig. (3), 3 dots appear adjacent to 4 dots. Hence, these figures are incorrect. Therefore/only fig. (1) is correct.

From figures (i) and (ii), we conclude that the numbers 1, 4, 3 and 5 lie adjacent to the number 6. Clearly, the number 2 lies opposite 6 and conversely 6 lies opposite 2.

Number 1 is common to both the positions of the dice. We assume the dice in fig. (ii) to be rotated so that 1 dot moves to the top face (i.e. face V as per activity 1) i.e. to the same position as in fig. (i) and 2 and 4 dots move to the faces hidden behind the faces with 3 and 5 dots respectively. Thus, the combined figure will have 1 dot on the Top (i.e. on face V), 5 dots on Front face (i.e. on face I), 3 dots on RHS face (i.e. face II), 4 dots on the Rear face (i.e. face III) and 2 dots on the LHS face (i.e. face IV). Clearly, 3 dots lie on the face opposite the face having 2 dots. Therefore, when there are 2 dots at the bottom, the number of dots at the top will be 3.

From positions X and Y we conclude that 1, 5, 6 and 3 lie adjacent to 4. Therefore, 2 must lie opposite 4. From positions Y and Z we conclude that 4, 3, 2 and 5 lie adjacent to 6. Therefore, 1 must lie opposite 6. Thus, 2 lies opposite 4, 1 lies opposite 6 and consequently 5 lies opposite 3.

Since 3 lies opposite 5 (as analysed above), it follows that 1, 4, 6 and 2 lie adjacent to 5. Out of these four numbers, the hidden numbers adjacent to 5 in position X are 6 and 2 and the hidden numbers adjacent to 5 in position Z are 1 and 4. Clearly, there is no number common.

From figures (ii) and (iii), we conclude that 1, 6, 3 and 4 dots lie adjacent to 5 dots. Therefore, 2 dots must lie opposite 5 dots. Conversely, 5 dots must lie opposite 2 dots.

From figures (i) and (ii) we conclude that 2, 6 and 4 dots appear adjacent to 3 dots. Hence, either 1 or 5 dots may appear opposite 3 dots. Thus, if the dice is resting on the side with three dots, then the number of dots on the side at the top is either 1 or 5.

From positions X and Y we conclude that 1, 5, 6 and 3 lie adjacent to 4. Therefore, 2 must lie opposite 4. From positions Y and Z we conclude that 4, 3, 2 and 5 lie adjacent to 6. Therefore, 1 must lie opposite 6. Thus, 2 lies opposite 4, 1 lies opposite 6 and consequently 5 lies opposite 3.

As analysed above, 1 lies opposite 6.

From figures (i) and (iv) we conclude that 6, 5, 2 and 3 lie adjacent to 4. It follows that 1 lies opposite 4.

The number 6 is common to both the positions of the dice. We assume the dice in fig. (ii) to be rotated so that 6 remains on the FR-LH face (i. e. on face IV as per activity 1) and the numbers 1 and 3 move to the faces hidden behind 4 and 5 respectively [in fig. (i)]. Then, 5 lies on FR-RH face (i.e. face I), 4 lies on Top face {i.e. face V), 3 lies on RR-LH face (i.e. face III) and 1 lies on Bottom face (i.e. face VI). Thus, 3 lies opposite 5. Hence, when the top is 3, then the number at the bottom is 5.

Number 2 is common to the two positions of the dice. We assume the dice in fig. (ii) to be rotated so that 2 remains on the top face (i.e. face V as per activity 1) and the numbers 3 and 6 move to the faces hidden behind 5 and 1 respectively [in fig. (i)]. Then, clearly, 5 lies opposite 3 and 6 lies opposite 1. Hence, when 1 is at the top, then 6 will be at the bottom.