Non Verbal Reasoning · Series, Matrices & Rules
Pattern Series and Sequences — Questions & Answers
Pattern series questions show figures changing step by step and ask for the missing one. Elements turn by a steady angle, move round the box, gain a mark each step, or the series repeats.
- 5 solved questions
- Step-by-step AI walkthroughs
- How-to-approach tips
How to approach
Follow one element at a time: how far does it turn or move each step, and which way?
Angles may grow each step (45°, 90°, 135°…) instead of staying the same.
If the fifth figure equals the first, the series repeats every four figures.
5 solved Pattern Series and Sequences questions
The six boxes below form a series that changes by a rule from left to right. One box is blank (?). Which figure belongs in the sixth box?
Solution — answer C
Rule: the L-shape turns 45° anticlockwise each step. Applying it to the sixth box gives option C.
4 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Understand the Task
We need to identify the rule governing the series of figures from left to right. Once the rule is found, we can apply it to determine which figure belongs in the blank sixth box.
Step 2: Identify the Rule
The verified solution states the rule: 'the L-shape turns 45∘ anticlockwise each step'. This means the L-shape rotates by a consistent amount in a specific direction with each progression in the series.
Step 3: Apply the Rule
To find the sixth figure, we must apply the identified rule to the fifth figure in the series. The L-shape from the fifth box needs to turn another 45∘ anticlockwise to become the sixth figure.
Step 4: The answer
So the answer is (C) Figure C. Applying the rule of turning the L-shape 45∘ anticlockwise from the fifth figure results in the orientation shown in Figure C.
The six boxes below form a series that changes by a rule from left to right. One box is blank (?). Which figure belongs in the fourth box?
Solution — answer D
Rule: the square moves 2 slots clockwise each step. Applying it to the fourth box gives option D.
4 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Understand the Series
We need to find the missing figure in a series of six boxes. The figures change from left to right according to a consistent rule. Our goal is to identify this rule and apply it to find the blank box.
Step 2: Identify the Rule
The established rule for this specific series is that a square moves 2 slots clockwise with each step. This means that from one box to the next, the square's position shifts by two slots in a clockwise direction.
Step 3: Apply the Rule
The question asks for the figure in the fourth box. To find this, we must apply the rule – the square moving 2 slots clockwise – to the figure that is present in the third box of the series.
Step 4: The answer
So the answer is (D) Figure D. Applying the rule of the square moving 2 slots clockwise from the third box results in the figure described by option D.
The six boxes below form a series that changes by a rule from left to right. One box is blank (?). Which figure belongs in the fourth box?
Solution — answer D
Rule: the L-shape turns 90° anticlockwise each step; the hook turns 45° clockwise each step. Applying it to the fourth box gives option D.
5 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Identify components
The series of boxes changes according to a rule. We need to find this rule by observing how the shapes move from one box to the next. The solution tells us there are two main components: an L-shape and a hook.
Step 2: L-shape rule
The solution states that the L-shape rotates 90∘ anticlockwise with each step. This means it turns a quarter-turn to the left in every consecutive box.
Step 3: Hook rule
The solution also states that the hook rotates 45∘ clockwise with each step. This means it turns an eighth-turn to the right in every consecutive box.
Step 4: Apply rules
To find the figure for the fourth box, we apply both rules to the figure in the third box. The L-shape will turn 90∘ anticlockwise, and the hook will turn 45∘ clockwise.
Step 5: The answer
So the answer is (D) Figure D. This figure correctly shows the L-shape rotated 90∘ anticlockwise and the hook rotated 45∘ clockwise from the third box.
The six boxes below form a series that changes by a rule from left to right. One box is blank (?). Which figure belongs in the second box?
Solution — answer D
Rule: one circle is added each step, going anticlockwise round the box, and the hook in the centre turns 45° clockwise each step. Applying it to the second box gives option D.
5 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Identify the rules
This series follows two rules that change the figure from left to right. We need to find both rules to determine the missing box.
Step 2: Rule 1: Circles
The first rule states that one circle is added in each step. These circles are added in an anticlockwise direction around the box. This helps us track the number and position of circles.
Step 3: Rule 2: Hook rotation
The second rule describes the central hook. In each step, the hook in the centre turns 45∘ clockwise. This means its orientation changes consistently through the series.
Step 4: Apply to second box
To find the second box, we apply both rules to the first box. The circles will increase by one, placed anticlockwise. The central hook will rotate 45∘ clockwise from its initial position.
Step 5: The answer
So the answer is (D) Figure D. This figure correctly shows one additional circle placed anticlockwise and the central hook rotated 45∘ clockwise from the first box's hook.
The six boxes below form a series that changes by a rule from left to right. One box is blank (?). Which figure belongs in the sixth box?
Solution — answer B
Rule: the pin moves 3 slots clockwise each step; the square moves 1 slot clockwise each step. Applying it to the sixth box gives option B.
5 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Identify the elements
This series involves two moving elements within each box: a pin and a square. We need to find the rules governing how these elements change their positions from one box to the next.
Step 2: Rule for the pin
The pin follows a specific pattern. For each step in the series, the pin consistently moves 3 slots in a clockwise direction. This movement applies to every transition between boxes.
Step 3: Rule for the square
The square also has its own rule. With each step in the series, the square moves 1 slot in a clockwise direction. This movement is independent of the pin's movement.
Step 4: Apply the rules
To find the figure for the sixth box, we apply both rules simultaneously to the fifth box. The pin will advance 3 slots clockwise, and the square will advance 1 slot clockwise from their positions in the fifth box.
Step 5: The answer
So the answer is (B) Figure B. Applying the rule that the pin moves 3 slots clockwise and the square moves 1 slot clockwise from the fifth figure leads directly to Figure B.
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