Figure Series – Quick & Easy Study Guide
For the HTET – Reasoning Ability (Figure Series)
1. What Is a Figure Series?
- Definition: A figure series is a set of shapes that change in a predictable way from one picture to the next.
- Goal: Find the missing figure (or the next one) by spotting the rule that connects all the pictures.
Analogy: Imagine a row of colored beads on a string. If the beads change color every time you add one, the rule is “alternate colors.” The figure series is the same idea for shapes, sizes, positions, etc.
2. How to Approach a Figure Series
| Step | What to Do | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Look at the whole row | Treat it like a sentence – read it from left to right. |
| 2️⃣ | Identify common elements | Do all figures have a circle? Are they all squares? |
| 3️⃣ | Note how each element changes | Size, orientation, number of parts, color, position. |
| 4️⃣ | Find one rule that fits all changes | Prefer the simplest rule that explains everything. |
| 5️⃣ | Apply the rule to get the missing figure | Check if the result matches all other options. |
| 6️⃣ | Double‑check | Make sure no other rule fits better. |
3. Common “Rule” Types (No Jargon)
| Rule Type | What It Means | Everyday Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Size change | Figures get bigger or smaller. | Growing plants. |
| Rotation | Figures turn clockwise or counter‑clockwise. | Turning a TV remote. |
| Number of parts | Pieces added or removed. | Adding more boxes to a pile. |
| Color change | Colors shift (red→blue, etc.). | Changing a light bulb’s color. |
| Position shift | Move left, right, up, down. | Sliding a book on a shelf. |
| Shape transformation | Circle→square→triangle. | A shape morphing in a cartoon. |
| Combination of two | Size + rotation simultaneously. | A spinning top that grows. |
4. Tiny Example (With ASCII Art)
Series:
1. O 2. O 3. O 4. ? (small) (medium) (large) (huge)
| Figure | Size |
|---|---|
| 1 | Small circle |
| 2 | Medium circle |
| 3 | Large circle |
| 4 | Huge circle |
Rule: “Increase size by the same amount each step.”
Answer: A huge circle (choose the option that shows a circle larger than the third).
5. Quick “Rule‑Finding” Checklist
- Count the parts – how many separate pieces are there?
- Spot the orientation – are shapes pointing up, down, left, right?
- Check the color – does one color appear more often?
- Look for symmetry – do the figures mirror each other?
- Notice the background – sometimes the background changes (solid → dotted).
If you finish the list and still can’t find a rule, try reversing the series (look from right to left). That sometimes makes the pattern clearer.
6. Practice Tips
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Draw it out | Seeing the shapes on paper can reveal hidden patterns. |
| Use a table | List attributes (size, color, parts) row by row. |
| Try “what if” | Imagine the next figure if the rule continues. |
| Eliminate impossible options | If an option breaks the rule, drop it. |
| Time yourself | In exams you’ll have limited seconds – the simpler the rule, the faster you solve. |
7. One More Mini‑Practice
Series
A. ▫️ B. ▫️▢ C. ▫️▢▢ D. ?
| Figure | Parts |
|---|---|
| A | 1 square |
| B | 2 squares |
| C | 3 squares |
| D | 4 squares |
Rule: “Add one more square each time.”
Answer: Option D (the figure with 4 squares).
8. Quick Recap
- Read the row – treat it like a story.
- Spot the common elements – shape, size, colour, number.
- Find the simplest rule – always prefer the rule that explains everything.
- Apply & check – test all choices; pick the one that follows the rule.
- Practice – the more you see patterns, the faster you’ll solve them.
Happy solving! 🚀