Puzzles – Reasoning Ability Study Notes
1. Simple Explanation
Puzzles in Reasoning Ability tests are logic‑based problems that require you to deduce hidden information from a set of clues. They usually involve:
| Puzzle type | What you’re asked to find | Typical clues |
|---|---|---|
| Number puzzles | Missing numbers or patterns in a sequence | “Each number is the sum of its two predecessors” |
| Word puzzles | Position of words or letters | “The word ‘APPLE’ is 3 letters to the right of ‘BANANA’” |
| Logic grids | Who/what/where combinations | “The red house is not owned by the Frenchman” |
| Spatial puzzles | Placement of objects in a grid | “The book on the left of the laptop is taller” |
The key to solving them is to translate words into a clear, visual representation (tables, grids, diagrams) and then apply deduction rules step by step.
2. Key Points
| # | Point | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read all clues first | You’ll spot cross‑relationships that help you fill in the grid. |
| 2 | Create a clean visual aid | Tables or grids keep track of known and unknown facts. |
| 3 | Use “direct” vs “indirect” clues | Direct clues give a fact; indirect clues give a relationship. |
| 4 | Apply elimination | If a person can’t be in house 1 or 3, it must be 2 or 4. |
| 5 | Check consistency after each deduction | Avoid contradictions early. |
| 6 | Look for “unique” values | If one house has a blue roof, no other house can. |
| 7 | Work in layers | First fill obvious slots, then use those to deduce the rest. |
| 8 | Re‑visit earlier clues | New information can unlock previously confusing clues. |
| 9 | Keep it organized | Write down each deduction as a comment in the notes. |
| 10 | Practice speed | Time‑bound tests require quick pattern recognition. |
3. Worked Example
Puzzle (House‑Logic)
In a row of 5 houses (1 to 5 from left to right) the following facts are known:
- The Red house is immediately to the right of the Blue house.
- The house with coffee is in the third house.
- The Green house’s owner is an Engineer.
- The Engineer lives in the first house.
- The Blue house is not the first house.
- The house with tea is somewhere to the right of the Red house.
- The Green house is immediately to the left of the Red house.
- The house that sells books is next to the house selling magazines.
- The Engineer sells magazines.
- The Blue house sells books.
Question: Which house sells tea?
Step‑by‑Step Solution
| Step | Action | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Place houses 1‑5 in a line. | Visual aid. |
| 2 | Apply clue 4: Engineer lives in house 1. | Direct. |
| 3 | Apply clue 3: Green house is owned by Engineer → Green house = house 1. | |
| 4 | Apply clue 7: Green house (house 1) is immediately left of Red house → Red house = house 2. | |
| 5 | Apply clue 1: Red house immediately right of Blue house → Blue house = house 1? No, house 2 is Red → Blue must be house 1? But house 1 is Red. Contradiction → Re‑interpret: “Red right of Blue” means Blue left of Red → Blue = house 1, Red = house 2. But house 1 already Green. So Blue = house 2, Red = house 3? Let's re‑evaluate: Red house immediately right of Blue house → If Blue = house 2, Red = house 3. That works. | |
| 6 | Update: Blue house = house 2, Red house = house 3. | |
| 7 | Apply clue 5: Blue house is not first → satisfied (Blue = 2). | |
| 8 | Apply clue 2: Coffee in third house → Coffee = house 3 (Red house). | |
| 9 | Apply clue 6: Tea is to the right of Red house (house 3) → Tea is in house 4 or 5. | |
| 10 | Apply clue 8: Books next to magazines. | |
| 11 | Apply clue 9: Engineer sells magazines → Engineer (house 1) sells magazines. | |
| 12 | Apply clue 8: Book next to magazine → Book must be in house 2 (adjacent to house 1). | |
| 13 | Apply clue 10: Blue house sells books → house 2 (Blue) sells books → confirms. | |
| 14 | Remaining unsolved: Which house sells tea? Only houses 4 or 5 remain for tea. | |
| 15 | Use clue 6 again: Tea to the |