Minimum number of straight lines required to form the below figure? <img src="/api/images/minimum-lines-to-form-triangle-grid.png" alt="Puzzle image showing a square grid filled with diagonal lines forming multiple triangles, used to find the minimum number of straight lines needed to create the entire pattern" width="300" height="200" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="rounded border border-gray-300 mx-auto my-4" />
Non Verbal Reasoning
Analytical Reasoning
Choose an option
Answer
Correct Answer: 14
Explanation
Question: What is the minimum number of straight lines required to form the given figure?
Step 1: Observe the structure
The image consists of a large square divided into smaller squares. Each smaller square contains two diagonal lines forming an “X,” effectively dividing each square into 4 triangles. All lines are straight and cover multiple shapes where possible to minimize repetition.
Step 2: Count the lines
- Vertical lines: There are 3 vertical lines dividing the square into 4 equal columns.
- Horizontal lines: There are 3 horizontal lines dividing the square into 4 equal rows.
- Diagonals: Each of the 4 rows contains 4 squares. Since each square has 2 diagonals, the total is 4 × 4 × 2 = 32 diagonals. However, many diagonals are shared across adjacent squares, reducing the actual number of unique lines required.
Step 3: Optimize for minimum lines
By extending each diagonal line through multiple squares wherever possible, the total number of lines required reduces significantly.
- 4 diagonal lines from top-left to bottom-right (↘ direction)
- 4 diagonal lines from top-right to bottom-left (↙ direction)
Total line count:
- Vertical lines: 3
- Horizontal lines: 3
- Diagonal lines: 4 + 4 = 8
Total = 3 + 3 + 8 = 14 lines
Final Answer: 14 straight lines