Abstract Reasoning Exam Topics: Size and Number Patterns

The Ultimate Guide to Ace Abstract Reasoning Test ( Part 2 )

In our previous discussion on acing abstract reasoning tests, we explored the importance of recognizing shape and colour patterns. Now, let's focus on another crucial aspect: identifying size and number patterns to boost your score. Discover practical strategies to enhance your performance in these tests. 

Keep reading to know the secret to your success!

Size Patterns in Abstract Reasoning Exams

In abstract reasoning, size patterns are all about things getting bigger or smaller. But sometimes, it can be a bit trickier.

Challenges in Size Patterns

Here are some examples of tricky size patterns:

Changing parts: Sometimes, only one part of a shape, like a rectangle, might get bigger or smaller.

Relative changes: Things may change size compared to other parts, like a small square inside a larger one that's shrinking.

Multiple changes: At times, you might see two or more size changes happening together, like one shape growing wider while another gets shorter.

To identify size patterns, pay attention to the direction of change and how much things increase or decrease. Look for changes going up, down or sideways. Each shape might grow by a specific number, like one square per step. Always follow the pattern you find.

Using Size Patterns with Others

Size patterns often mix with other patterns like direction, position and color. When solving questions, remember to:

Find what's changing size: Figure out which parts of the image are getting bigger or smaller.

Combine patterns: Bring together the size changes and other patterns to solve the question better.

Abstract Reasoning Examples: Size Patterns

1. There's a missing picture in the order shown. Which option is the best fit for the empty space? 

You can see that the pentagon is getting bigger. The black box is also getting bigger and it moves from one side to the other - from right to left. The first black box is in the top right corner, and we think the next one, which should be larger, will be on the left.

We can now drop options C and D because the pentagon in options A and B is closer to the first picture as it gets bigger.

Next, let's check the black box. As we said before, it switches from right to left. The one that's missing should have the black box on the left. So, considering these points, the right answer is option B.

2. There's a picture missing in the series shown. Which choice fits best in the blank spot?

Let's break this down. The black rectangle looks like it's getting smaller, and as this happens, the white rectangle gets bigger. So as the fourth rectangle grows, the shrinking black rectangle seems to be getting covered up.

As we mentioned, the black rectangle disappears as it gets smaller, and the white one expands until we can't see the black one at all. Based on the options we have, option B seems to be the best fit. So, it's the correct answer

3. What is the next picture in the sequence after the second one?

Let's break down the series of pictures. The circle is moving in a clockwise direction. Its color also alternates between white and black, so the next circle color should be white and it should be in the top right corner.

The rectangle appears to shrink with each picture, so the next one should be smaller than the one in the second picture.

The corner triangle seems to get larger every time, so the next triangle should be bigger than the one in the second picture.

Let's narrow down our choices. We can rule out Option A right away because the circle isn't the color we expected - it should be white, not black. That leaves us with Options B, C and D.

Next, we are looking for a picture where the circle is at the top right, following the clockwise direction we identified earlier. Option B doesn't fulfill this requirement. Plus, the rectangle in Option B is the same size as in the previous image, and we're looking for one that's smaller. So, Option B is out.

Now, it's a face-off between Options C and D. The only distinction between these two is the size of the triangle. We noticed a pattern where the triangle gets bigger each time, so we need a picture with a larger triangle. Option D has a smaller triangle, which means it's not the right one.

So, the correct answer is Option C!

Number Patterns in Abstract Reasoning Exams

There are different kinds of number patterns, and learning about them can make it easier to solve problems. Let's take a look at some common types:

• Increasing Patterns: These patterns grow by adding, multiplying, or using other combinations. For example, the pattern might add the same number each time or multiply by a certain number to create the next figure.

• Decreasing Patterns: On the other hand, some patterns become smaller by subtracting, dividing, or using other combinations. These patterns take away the same number from the previous one or divide by a certain number to get to the next one.

Understanding number patterns can help you improve your problem-solving skills. It's a fun way to test your thinking and is useful for doing well in abstract reasoning exams.

Abstract Reasoning Examples: Number Patterns

Now that we know what we're dealing with, let's look at some examples to make it clear.

1. In the series you see, a picture is missing. Which option do you think fits best in that empty space?

Let's look for a pattern in the number series:

• The first row has numbers 4, 2, 2.

• The third row has numbers 2, 1, 1.

You'll notice the second and third numbers in Rows 1 and 3 are the same.

For the second row, the first number is 5, then 1. We might guess the missing number could be 1. However, there isn't a 1 in the options!

Let's try another approach:

• Row 1: If we subtract the second number from the first, we get the third number: 4 – 2 = 2.

• Row 3: The same pattern applies: 2 – 1 = 1.

Let's check Row 2 using this pattern: 5 – 1 gives us 4.

The number 4 is available in the choices. Therefore, following this pattern, the correct answer is Option B.

2. A picture from the series is missing. Which of the choices do you believe fills the blank space best?

Let's see the pattern here.

In the second row, the numbers are 2, 2, 4. It looks like adding the first two numbers gives the third number (4).

Let's check if this is the pattern in the third row. We have 2, 1 but adding these gives 3, which isn't the third number (2). So, this isn't the right pattern.

Let's try multiplication. In the second row, multiplying 2 by 2 gives 4, which is the third number. In the third row, multiplying 2 by 1 gives 2, which is correct!

Now let's look at the first row. The first number is 3, the second number is missing, and the third number is 6. We need to find a missing number that, when multiplied by 3, gives 6. This means 3 x 2 = 6.

Therefore, Option B is the missing number.

3. There's a missing picture in the series. Can you figure out which choice fits best in the empty spot?

Let's examine the series. In the first row, we have numbers 6, 6, 1. It appears that the third number comes from dividing the first two numbers: 6 / 6 = 1.

Turning to the second row, with numbers 3, 1, 3, if we apply division to the first two numbers, 3 / 1, we also get the third number, 3. Thus, both rows share the division pattern.

Now, let's extend this division pattern to the third row to discover the missing number:

We observe that the pattern 4 / 2 equals 2. Since 2 is one of our options, the correct answer is Option B.

Final Words

In summary, to do well on abstract reasoning tests, you need to figure out complex and specific patterns. This includes recognizing size patterns and numerical sequences. Knowing and using these hidden patterns can improve your chances of doing well on these kinds of tests. Whether you're trying to understand size or numbers, these tips can help you succeed.