Puzzles – Easy‑to‑Learn Notes for Maharashtra PSC
Why Puzzles Matter
Puzzles are just small tests that ask you to see patterns, make decisions, or fit pieces together.
Think of them like Lego blocks: you have to decide which block goes where to build the whole picture.
1. What Are Puzzle Questions?
- They give you a set of facts (numbers, letters, objects, people, etc.).
- You must arrange or find something that satisfies all the facts.
- No guessing – every fact is a clue that points to one exact answer.
2. Common Types of Puzzle Questions
| Type | What It Looks Like | Everyday Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Number Series | “3, 6, 9, …” | Counting steps on a staircase |
| Odd One Out | “Apple, Banana, Carrot” | Picking the odd fruit in a fruit basket |
| Seating Arrangement | “A sits left of B, C is opposite D” | Deciding who sits where at a dinner table |
| Direction/Time Puzzles | “If A is north of B and B is east of C, where is A?” | Finding a friend’s house using a map |
| Pattern/Shape Puzzles | “△, □, △, □, …” | Recognizing a repeating wallpaper design |
| Word/Letter Puzzles | “A, C, E, …” | Reading every other letter in a word |
3. Quick Tips for Every Puzzle
| Tip | How to Use It |
|---|---|
| Write it down | Draw a small diagram or list the facts. |
| Look for “must‑be” clues | Facts that leave no choice (e.g., “X is next to Y”). |
| Eliminate possibilities | Rule out options that break a fact. |
| Check your answer | Verify that every fact is satisfied. |
| Practice time | 5‑10 minutes daily builds speed. |
4. Mini‑Examples
Below is one tiny example for each puzzle type.
Try solving yourself first, then read the quick solution.
4.1 Number Series
Question
What comes next in: 2, 5, 10, 17, … ?
Solution
Look at the differences:
5‑2 = 3
10‑5 = 5
17‑10 = 7
The differences are 3, 5, 7 – they grow by 2 each time.
Next difference = 9.
17 + 9 = 26.
4.2 Odd One Out
Question
Apple, Banana, Carrot, Grape – which is odd?
Solution
Apple, Banana, and Grape are fruits.
Carrot is a vegetable.
Answer: Carrot.
4.3 Seating Arrangement
Question
Five friends (A, B, C, D, E) sit in a row.
- A sits to the left of B.
- C sits between A and B.
- D sits at one end.
Where does E sit?
Solution
Place D at the left end.
From the clues, the only valid order is:
D – A – C – B – E.
So E sits on the right end.
4.4 Direction/Time Puzzle
Question
If you start at point S, go 3 km north, then 4 km east, and finally 5 km south, where are you relative to S?
Solution
North 3 km + South 5 km = 2 km south net.
East 4 km stays.
So you are 2 km south and 4 km east of the start.
4.5 Pattern/Shape Puzzle
Question
What is the next shape: circle, square, circle, square, … ?
Solution
The shape alternates.
Next should be a circle.
4.6 Word/Letter Puzzle
Question
What letter comes next in the word: “P, R, T, …”?
Solution
These are every second letter of the alphabet:
P (16), R (18), T (20).
Next is V (22).
5. Practice Questions (Try on Your Own)
| # | Puzzle Type | Question |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number Series | 4, 9, 16, 25, … |
| 2 | Odd One Out | Clock, Chair, Table, Pen |
| 3 | Seating | G sits next to H. I is far from G. J sits between G and I. Who is at the far right? |
| 4 | Direction | If X is east of Y and Y is north of Z, where is X relative to Z? |
| 5 | Pattern | Hexagon, Pentagon, Hexagon, Pentagon, … |
| 6 | Letter | “K, M, O, …” |
Answer Guide (check after you finish)
- 36 (perfect squares)
- Clock (not a furniture item)
- J (rightmost)
- East‑North (NE) of Z
- Hexagon
- Q
6. Final Thought
Puzzles are just little detective games.
- Gather clues.
- Build a picture.
- Check that every clue is satisfied.
With a bit of practice, you’ll solve them faster than you can say “aha!”
Happy puzzling!