Puzzles: Reasoning Ability Notes for Banking (IBPS/SBI)

📚 Reasoning Ability – Puzzles

(For IBPS/SBI Banking Exam – Reasoning Ability Section)

Puzzles test your ability to spot patterns, deduce relationships, and work out logical steps.
They are usually presented in a compact form and require you to think a few steps ahead.

1. Simple Explanation

Definition: A puzzle is a mini‑problem where you must find a missing element, continue a pattern, or determine an arrangement that satisfies a set of conditions.
Goal: Use logic, arithmetic, or pattern recognition to arrive at the correct answer in the shortest time.
Common Formats
1. Number Pattern (sequences, series)
2. Word/Letter Pattern
3. Logical Arrangement (people, cars, rooms, etc.)
4. Cross‑Number/Word (like Sudoku, crosswords)
5. Visual/Spatial (shapes, grids, maze)

2. Key Points & Strategies

Puzzle Type	What to Look For	Quick Strategy
Number Sequence	1. Arithmetic progression (add/subtract), 2. Geometric progression (multiply/divide), 3. Alternating patterns, 4. Sum/average of digits, 5. Square/cube patterns	• Write down first few terms. • Check differences or ratios. • Look for two interleaved sequences.
Letter/Word Pattern	1. Alphabetic progression (A, D, G…), 2. Word length changes, 3. First/last letter shifts, 4. Vowel/consonant alternation	• Convert letters to positions (A=1, B=2…). • Check if the change is uniform.
Logical Arrangement	1. Relative positions (left/right, above/below), 2. Constraints (age, gender, job), 3. “Only one” or “exactly two” rules	• Draw a grid. • Mark impossible positions with “X”. • Use elimination.
Cross‑Number / Cross‑Word	1. Numbers that fit both across and down clues.	• Start with the longest clues. • Fill with numbers that satisfy both directions.
Visual / Spatial	1. Symmetry, 2. Rotational pattern, 3. Mirror image	• Sketch the figure. • Identify the smallest repeating unit.

General Tips

Read all options first – Sometimes the answer can be eliminated by reading the choices.
Work backward – For arrangement puzzles, start from the constraints that have the fewest options.
Use “What if” tests – Assume an answer, see if it violates any rule.
Keep it clean – Write down steps; avoid mental math fatigue.
Time‑box – Spend ≤ 1–2 min on each puzzle; skip if stuck and return later.

3. Worked Example

Question
The following sequence of numbers is given:
5, 12, 23, 38, 57, ?
What is the missing number?

A. 78 B. 80 C. 81 D. 82

Step‑by‑Step Solution

Term	1	2	3	4	5	6
Value	5	12	23	38	57	?
Δ (difference)		7	11	15	19	?

Compute differences:
- 12 – 5 = 7
- 23 – 12 = 11
- 38 – 23 = 15
- 57 – 38 = 19
Differences: 7, 11, 15, 19 – they increase by 4 each time.
Predict next difference:
- Next difference = 19 + 4 = 23
Add to last term:
- 57 + 23 = 80
Answer: B. 80

4. Quick Revision Summary

Concept	How to Identify	Common Mistake	Quick Fix
Arithmetic Pattern	Constant difference	Assuming all terms belong to one sequence	Check for two interleaved sequences
Geometric Pattern	Constant ratio	Mixing up addition/subtraction	Convert to logs or ratios
Alternating Pattern	Two separate sequences	Treating as a single series	Separate terms by position (odd/even)
Letter Pattern	Position shift in alphabet	Ignoring wrap‑around (Z → A)	Convert letters to numbers, apply shift, convert back
Logical Arrangement	Position vs. attribute constraints	Failing to cross‑check all rules	Use a grid, mark contradictions immediately
Cross‑Number	Numbers fit both across & down	Filling one direction first without cross‑checking	Fill longest clue first, verify with cross clue

Remember:

Write down the problem clearly.

List all constraints.

Use elimination.

Check your answer against all conditions.

Final Practice Pointers

Banking Puzzles often involve person/room/car arrangements with age, job, or vehicle constraints.
Time Management: Allocate 2–3 min per puzzle; if you’re not getting a clear path, move on and come back if time permits.
Keep calm: Many puzzles look tricky but are systematic once the pattern is spotted.

Good luck with your IBPS/SBI preparation!