Solving Analytical Reasoning (Non Verbal) Problems

What is Analytical Reasoning ?
In Analytical Reasoning tests, your ability to study the information and apply logic to find patterns or make inferences is tested. Analytical reasoning tests measure your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The data may be presented in the form of written passages, graphs, tables or shapes.

Some tips:
Read Carefully: Read the information given in the Analytical sets very carefully. Remember, the devil is in the detail.

Do not use prior Information: Never assume or use any information that is not given in the directions. Remember, this is not an assessment of how much you know; this section tests your logical and analytical ability and checks how well you interpret the information given and how intelligently you derive the information required for answering the questions.

Pay special attention to Special words: Many times you will encounter some special words like "could be" or "must be" etc. Do underline or circle such words. These words can change your answer completely. "Could be" or "may be" is different from "must be" as the former deals with one of the possible outcomes whereas the latter deals with the outcome which is essential as per the conditions mentioned. The solved examples at the end of the article would further clear your doubts about this little tip.

Have knowledge of basic terminologies: You should acquire the basic knowledge with regards to directions, relations, sitting arrangements, rules of games (like those in cricket about runs, overs etc., in football/hockey about goals-for, goals- against etc.), shares, debentures, playing cards etc. for easy and quick understanding of the case-lets.

Know universal conditions and local conditions: There are universal conditions, which all questions must satisfy at all times and there are local conditions, which are followed by particular questions. These local conditions are specific for a particular question only and always keep this in mind. When you move to the next question, you have to abide by the universal conditions along with any local condition given within this very question, if any.

Practice.

Example 1: Count the number of triangle in the following figure:


a. 10
b. 12
c. 14
d. 16

Solution

At first count the number of simplest triangle that is PQW, QWA, QRS, QAS, STU, SUA, UVW, UWA. So there are 8 such triangle.
Next we should count the no of triangle which are two component each WQS, QSU, SUW, UWQ. Such 4 triangles.
Total number of triangles in this given figures = 8 + 4 = 12.

Example 2: Find the number of parallelograms are there in the figure below :
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a. 18
b. 20
c. 19
d. 16

Solution

The simplest Parallelogram are OPTS, PQUT, QRVU, STXW, TUYX, UVZY, these are 6 in number.
The Parallelogram composed of two components each are OQUS, PRVT, SUYW, TVZX, OPXW, PQYX, QRZY, these are 7 such Parallelogram.
And also Parallelogram composed of three components each are ORVS, SVZW these are 2 Parallelogram.
And then Parallelogram composed of four components each are OQYW, PRZX these are 2 Parallelogram.
Only 1 Parallelogram of six components is ORZW.
So there are 6+7+2+2+1 = 18 Parallelogram in this figure. so ans is d.

Example 3: What is the number of straight lines in the following figure ?



Solution

Vertical lines are AC, PR, TV, BD, UW, QS,  ie, 6 numbers.
Horizontal lines are AB, PQ, TU, MN, VW, RS, CD ie, 7 numbers
Total number of lines is 6 + 7 = 13.

Example 4: Count the number of triangle in the following figure ?



Solution

The number of simplest triangles are PUR, PUQ, QVU, RVU, RVT, QVS, TWV, SWV, there are 8 such triangles.
next count the number of triangle are composed of two small triangles each, PQR, PRV, RVQ, PQV, VST .
QRS, RTQ,TSR, TSQ, the 4 such triangles.
Total number of triangles are 8 + 5 + 4 = 17.

Example 5: Count the number of triangles in the following figure.



Solution:

Simplest triangle PQV, QRV, RST, VRT, PVT, PUT there are 6 .
Triangle composed two triangles each PQR, PQT, PRT, QRT there are 4 triangles
6 + 4 = 10.