Reasoning: How to Solve Figure Completion and Pattern Completion

Introduction

"Figure Completion and Pattern Completion questions typically carry 20-30 marks in competitive exams, making it a must-master topic to crack the exam quickly and confidently."

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST

To solve Figure Completion and Pattern Completion questions, you need to know the following basic concepts:

1. Direction Chart: A direction chart is a diagram that shows the direction of movement of people or objects. It is usually represented by arrows.
2. BODMAS: BODMAS is a rule that helps you solve mathematical expressions in the correct order. It stands for Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction.
3. Sitting Arrangement Conventions: Sitting arrangement conventions are rules that help you determine the seating arrangement of people based on certain conditions.

CRYSTAL‑CLEAR METHOD (Step‑by‑Step)

To solve Figure Completion and Pattern Completion questions, follow these steps:

1. Read the question carefully: Read the question carefully and understand what is being asked.
2. Identify the pattern: Identify the pattern or rule that is being followed in the figure or diagram.
3. Use the direction chart: Use the direction chart to determine the direction of movement of people or objects.
4. Apply BODMAS: Apply BODMAS to solve mathematical expressions in the correct order.
5. Use sitting arrangement conventions: Use sitting arrangement conventions to determine the seating arrangement of people.
6. Draw the figure: Draw the figure or diagram based on the information given in the question.
7. Check your answer: Check your answer to ensure that it satisfies all the conditions given in the question.

WORKED EXAMPLES

Example 1 – Easy

Question: In the figure below, what is the next number in the pattern?

[Figure: 2, 5, 8, 11, ?]

Step 1: Read the question carefully and understand what is being asked. Step 2: Identify the pattern: The pattern is an increase of 3 each time. Step 3: Use the direction chart: Not applicable. Step 4: Apply BODMAS: Not applicable. Step 5: Use sitting arrangement conventions: Not applicable. Step 6: Draw the figure: Not applicable. Step 7: Check your answer: The next number in the pattern is 14.

What we learned: To solve pattern completion questions, identify the pattern and apply it to find the next number.

Example 2 – Medium

Question: In the figure below, what is the next number in the pattern?

[Figure: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, ?]

Step 1: Read the question carefully and understand what is being asked. Step 2: Identify the pattern: The pattern is an increase of 3 each time. Step 3: Use the direction chart: Not applicable. Step 4: Apply BODMAS: Not applicable. Step 5: Use sitting arrangement conventions: Not applicable. Step 6: Draw the figure: Not applicable. Step 7: Check your answer: The next number in the pattern is 17.

What we learned: To solve pattern completion questions with coded data, identify the pattern and apply it to find the next number.

Example 3 – Exam‑Style

Question: In the figure below, what is the next number in the pattern?

[Figure: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, ?]

Step 1: Read the question carefully and understand what is being asked. Step 2: Identify the pattern: The pattern is an increase of 3 each time. Step 3: Use the direction chart: Not applicable. Step 4: Apply BODMAS: Not applicable. Step 5: Use sitting arrangement conventions: Not applicable. Step 6: Draw the figure: Not applicable. Step 7: Check your answer: The next number in the pattern is 20.

What we learned: To solve pattern completion questions under time pressure, identify the pattern quickly and apply it to find the next number.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE → WHY IT HAPPENS → CORRECT APPROACH

1. Mistake: Not reading the question carefully: Why it happens: You might miss important details in the question. Correct approach: Read the question carefully and understand what is being asked.
2. Mistake: Not identifying the pattern: Why it happens: You might not recognize the pattern in the figure or diagram. Correct approach: Identify the pattern or rule that is being followed in the figure or diagram.
3. Mistake: Not using the direction chart: Why it happens: You might not use the direction chart to determine the direction of movement of people or objects. Correct approach: Use the direction chart to determine the direction of movement of people or objects.
4. Mistake: Not applying BODMAS: Why it happens: You might not apply BODMAS to solve mathematical expressions in the correct order. Correct approach: Apply BODMAS to solve mathematical expressions in the correct order.
5. Mistake: Not using sitting arrangement conventions: Why it happens: You might not use sitting arrangement conventions to determine the seating arrangement of people. Correct approach: Use sitting arrangement conventions to determine the seating arrangement of people.

EXAM TRAPS

Trap → How to Spot it → How to Avoid it

1. Trap: Missing important details in the question: How to spot it: Read the question carefully and look for important details. How to avoid it: Read the question carefully and understand what is being asked.
2. Trap: Not recognizing the pattern: How to spot it: Identify the pattern or rule that is being followed in the figure or diagram. How to avoid it: Identify the pattern or rule that is being followed in the figure or diagram.
3. Trap: Not using the direction chart: How to spot it: Use the direction chart to determine the direction of movement of people or objects. How to avoid it: Use the direction chart to determine the direction of movement of people or objects.

TIME‑SAVING SHORTCUTS

1. Elimination trick: Eliminate options that are clearly incorrect based on the pattern or rule.
2. Diagram hack: Use a diagram to visualize the pattern or rule and identify the next number.
3. Pattern recognition: Recognize common patterns such as arithmetic progression, geometric progression, or Fibonacci sequence.

1‑MINUTE RECAP

"Alright, let's recap the strategy for solving Figure Completion and Pattern Completion questions. First, read the question carefully and understand what is being asked. Then, identify the pattern or rule that is being followed in the figure or diagram. Use the direction chart to determine the direction of movement of people or objects, apply BODMAS to solve mathematical expressions in the correct order, and use sitting arrangement conventions to determine the seating arrangement of people. Finally, draw the figure and check your answer to ensure that it satisfies all the conditions given in the question. Remember to eliminate options that are clearly incorrect based on the pattern or rule, use a diagram to visualize the pattern or rule, and recognize common patterns. With this strategy, you'll be able to crack Figure Completion and Pattern Completion questions quickly and confidently. Good luck on your exam!