GATE ME 2023 Set 1 — Question 10

MCQ+2 / -0.67Medium2D & 3D PatternsSpatial AptitudeGeneral Aptitude

General Aptitude → Spatial Aptitude → 2D & 3D Patterns

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

An opaque pyramid (shown below), with a square base and isosceles faces, is suspended in the path of a parallel beam of light, such that its shadow is cast on a screen oriented perpendicular to the direction of the light beam. The pyramid can be reoriented in any direction within the light beam. Under these conditions, which one of the shadows P, Q, R, and S is NOT possible?

Correct answer (B) Q Solution A square pyramid can produce various shadow shapes depending on its orientation relative to the parallel light beam: 1. A square (S) is formed when the light is perpendicular to the base. 2. A triangle is formed when the light is parallel to the base and perpendicular to two opposite edges. 3. A kite or diamond (R) can be formed by tilting the pyramid. 4. A pentagon (P) can be formed if the light beam intersects the base and all four triangular faces. Shape Q, which is a non-symmetric quadrilateral with non-parallel sides in that specific configuration, cannot be formed by the parallel projection of a regular square pyramid. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

Review answer and solution without JavaScript

Interactive answer checking needs JavaScript. The published solution is available below.

Correct answer (B) Q Solution A square pyramid can produce various shadow shapes depending on its orientation relative to the parallel light beam: 1. A square (S) is formed when the light is perpendicular to the base. 2. A triangle is formed when the light is parallel to the base and perpendicular to two opposite edges. 3. A kite or diamond (R) can be formed by tilting the pyramid. 4. A pentagon (P) can be formed if the light beam intersects the base and all four triangular faces. Shape Q, which is a non-symmetric quadrilateral with non-parallel sides in that specific configuration, cannot be formed by the parallel projection of a regular square pyramid.

Continue learning with Success Tracker

Use Success Tracker to ask about the reasoning, then try another GATE ME question to check your understanding.

AI-powered practice· Unlimited practice on eligible plans

PYQs with solutions: Attempt available previous-year questions, then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. Coverage varies by stream.
Practice that adapts: Choose a topic, work on weaker areas and bookmark questions to revisit. Your attempts feed your progress tracking.
AI doubt support: Ask follow-up questions about a step or concept while practising, instead of stopping at the final answer.

Unlimited practice is available on eligible plans. Free practice and AI usage have limits; check the current plan allowances before choosing.

This page stays readable without an account. AI responses can be wrong; check them against the solution and source material.