📊 Study Notes – Figure Series
Coast Guard Reasoning Ability – Beginner Edition
1️⃣ What is a Figure Series?
A figure series is a set of pictures that follow a hidden rule.
You look at the first few pictures, find the rule, and then pick the picture that fits next.
Think of it as a pattern game with shapes instead of numbers.
2️⃣ Why Do We Need It?
- Logic test – Many exams ask you to choose the missing picture.
- Quick thinking – Spotting patterns trains your brain to see connections fast.
3️⃣ Common Types of Patterns
| Pattern | Everyday Analogy | How It Looks |
|---|---|---|
| Rotation | Turning a pizza slice 90° | The same shape, but turned |
| Reflection | Mirror image in a window | Left ↔ right |
| Scaling | Growing a plant | Bigger or smaller shape |
| Color Change | Changing a light bulb’s color | Only the color changes |
| Shape Addition | Adding a new toy to a shelf | New shape appears in each step |
| Shape Subtraction | Removing a piece from a puzzle | Shapes disappear one by one |
4️⃣ How to Solve a Figure Series
-
Look at all pictures
Don’t rush – focus on the whole set. -
Find a common element
What is the same in every picture?- Shape?
- Color?
- Number of parts?
-
Notice how that element changes
- Does it rotate?
- Does a part grow?
- Does a color switch?
-
Predict the next change
Apply the same rule to the last picture. -
Check all options
Choose the picture that matches the predicted change.
5️⃣ Quick Tips
- Start with simple moves – rotation, reflection, size.
- Count carefully – number of shapes or lines.
- Use the “copy and paste” test – imagine copying the picture and then making the same move.
- Eliminate wrong answers first – if an option has a shape that never appeared, drop it.
6️⃣ Tiny Example
| Picture 1 | Picture 2 | Picture 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 🟦 (blue square) | 🟦 (blue square, rotated 90°) | 🟦 (blue square, rotated 180°) |
Rule: Rotate the square 90° each step.
- Next picture: The square rotated 270° (or 90° counter‑clockwise).
| Correct Answer | Wrong Answer |
|---|---|
| 🟦 (blue square, rotated 270°) | 🟦 (blue square, rotated 360° – same as start) |
7️⃣ Practice Question
Series
1️⃣ ➜ 2️⃣ ➜ 3️⃣ ➜ ❓
- 1️⃣: A red circle.
- 2️⃣: The same circle, but with a green dot in the center.
- 3️⃣: The circle with a blue dot in the center.
Options
A) Circle with a red dot
B) Circle with a green dot
C) Circle with a blue dot
D) Circle with a yellow dot
Solution
- Rule: The dot’s color changes in a cycle (red → green → blue → red).
- Next picture should have a red dot.
- Answer: A
8️⃣ Summary
- A figure series is a pattern of shapes.
- Spot the common element and how it changes.
- Use simple moves: rotate, reflect, grow, color.
- Practice with small examples – it builds speed.
Good luck with your Coast Guard exam! Remember: Look, pattern, predict. 🚀