In a 3x3 grid consisting of numbers 1–9, after a 270-degree clockwise rotation, what is the top-left value?

In a 3x3 grid consisting of numbers 1–9, after a 270-degree clockwise rotation, what is the top-left value?

• A. 7
• B. 3
• C. 1
• D. 9

Answer: (B)

Rotating the grid 270 degrees clockwise is the same as turning it 90 degrees counterclockwise. With the standard layout 1 2 3 / 4 5 6 / 7 8 9, a 90-degree counterclockwise rotation rearranges the top row to 3 6 9, the middle row to 2 5 8, and the bottom row to 1 4 7. So the top-left position ends up holding the original top-right value, which is 3. Therefore, the top-left value after the rotation is 3.

Rotating the grid 270 degrees clockwise is the same as turning it 90 degrees counterclockwise. With the standard layout 1 2 3 / 4 5 6 / 7 8 9, a 90-degree counterclockwise rotation rearranges the top row to 3 6 9, the middle row to 2 5 8, and the bottom row to 1 4 7. So the top-left position ends up holding the original top-right value, which is 3. Therefore, the top-left value after the rotation is 3.