Which statement best describes a three-bend saddle?

Which statement best describes a three-bend saddle?

• A. The center bend angle equals the side bend angle
• B. The center bend angle is half the side bend angle
• C. The two side bends have a center bend angle triple the side bend angle
• D. The center bend angle is twice the side bend angle

Answer: (D)

In a three-bend saddle, the three bends work together to create a smooth, continuous curve with symmetry. When the two outer bends are equal, the central bend has to rotate the direction by a larger amount to bring the path back and align with the middle segment. That means the center bend angle ends up being twice the angle of each side bend. For example, if the two outer bends are 90 degrees each, the center bend is 180 degrees, so the sequence turns 90 + 180 + 90 = 360 degrees and the path ends up parallel to its starting direction, forming a proper saddle shape. So the center bend angle being twice the side bend angle best captures this geometric relationship.

In a three-bend saddle, the three bends work together to create a smooth, continuous curve with symmetry. When the two outer bends are equal, the central bend has to rotate the direction by a larger amount to bring the path back and align with the middle segment. That means the center bend angle ends up being twice the angle of each side bend.

For example, if the two outer bends are 90 degrees each, the center bend is 180 degrees, so the sequence turns 90 + 180 + 90 = 360 degrees and the path ends up parallel to its starting direction, forming a proper saddle shape.

So the center bend angle being twice the side bend angle best captures this geometric relationship.