Spatial reasoning, logical deduction, and the understanding of cause-and-effect relationships are often tested using patterns that share a certain connection. Tests of spatial ability are also called spatial tests, and their purpose is to measure how well a person structures information and solves problems analytically. These tasks often also require creativity, which makes them a good measure of general problem-solving skills.
Spatial reasoning tasks are universal and do not involve cultural or language dependencies in finding the solution. This means that, for example, both a French and a South African respondent have an equal opportunity to solve the task. The ability to perceive patterns and structures formed by shapes is particularly important for architects, 3D designers, modelers, programmers, and engineers.
“Spatial reasoning tasks are universal and do not involve cultural or language dependencies in finding the solution. This means that, for example, both a French and a South African respondent have an equal opportunity to solve the task. The ability to perceive patterns and structures formed by shapes is particularly important for architects, 3D designers, modelers, programmers, and engineers.
Series- and matrix-based tasks share the feature of containing certain regularities. Recognizing these regularities makes it easier to find the solution. Often, the key is not only to look at the whole pattern but also to pay attention to the individual elements and examine their:
- horizontal and vertical movement
- diagonal movement
- rotation
- number
- changes in shape
- changes in color
- mirror images
Tasks may involve multiple simultaneous changes in the elements, which makes finding the correct answer more challenging. For example, in addition to the rotation of the entire figure, there might also be a change in the shape or color of a particular element.
Series
The missing figure in a series is usually the last one, but it can also be located in the middle of the sequence. In some cases, the missing figure consists of several different sub-figures, all of which must fit correctly into the middle or continuation of the series.
It is important to note that in series-type tasks, an element of the figure may:
– remain in the same position throughout the series while other elements move
– disappear entirely from the figure and reappear only in the next one
– re-enter the figure from the opposite side
Examples
Practice logical reasoning and improve your skills with the following examples.
Horizontal and vertical movement
What is the next figure in the series?
Answer: B
Explanation: The square in the top-left corner moves vertically upward. This square appears from the bottom in the second matrix. In the missing figure, it is located in the second box from the top.
The square in the second vertical column also moves upward; in the missing figure, it shifts to the bottom box. The square in the second horizontal row moves horizontally to the right and, in the missing figure, ends up in the left box of that row.
Rotation
What is the next figure in the series?
Answer: B
Explanation: The figure rotates clockwise, following the direction of clock hands. This makes it clear that the possible options are A, B, and E. To identify the correct choice, one must notice that the moon also rotates clockwise, moving 90 degrees around its axis each time.
Shape change
Which figure is missing?
Answer: D
Explanation: The number of bars at the top increases to the maximum and then decreases one by one. In the middle figure, there are three bars at the top. Circles and stars alternate, so the middle figure should contain three circles. It is the circles’ turn to appear in the middle figure.
Mirror image
Which figure is missing?
Answer: B
Explanation: The set consists of mirror images, which are arranged vertically. The missing figure can be found by flipping the figure above it horizontally to create its mirror image.
Horizontal matrix
Which figure is missing?
Answer: B
Explanation: Stars, squares, and small circles move one step to the right along the horizontal rows. Large circles move to the left, so in the missing figure, a star and a large circle should be stacked together.
Practice Exercises
Practice by solving the following logical reasoning tasks on your own.
Which figure comes next in the series?
Correct answer: E
Explanation:
This is a classic puzzle where the lines rotate around a circle by 45 degrees at a time. One of the lines rotates counterclockwise and the other clockwise, so they overlap vertically in the third figure. Next, the lines move forward to each other’s previous positions.
Correct answer: E
Explanation:
This is a classic puzzle where the lines rotate around a circle by 45 degrees at a time. One of the lines rotates counterclockwise and the other clockwise, so they overlap vertically in the third figure. Next, the lines move forward to each other’s previous positions.
Which shape is missing?
Correct answer: D
Explanation:
The set consists of mirror images. The vertical mirror image of the top row appears in the bottom row.
Correct answer: D
Explanation:
The set consists of mirror images. The vertical mirror image of the top row appears in the bottom row.
Which figure is missing?
Correct answer: C
Explanation:
The figure rotates 90 degrees clockwise into the third column. Additionally, the circles and triangles that are black in both of the preceding images remain black.
Correct answer: C
Explanation:
The figure rotates 90 degrees clockwise into the third column. Additionally, the circles and triangles that are black in both of the preceding images remain black.
What is the next figure in the series?
The correct answer is E.
Explanation: This sequence mixes diagonal movement, circular movement, and color changes. The ball moves diagonally and changes color from white to black. In the last figure, it is the ball's turn to be black and it should be positioned at the bottom right. The star rotates counterclockwise and also changes color from black to white. In the missing figure, the star's position is at the top right and its color is white. The crescent moon rotates both around the shape and itself clockwise.
The crescent moon's position in the missing figure is at the bottom left, and its color is black because the color changes occur every other figure.
Therefore, the correct answer is E.
The correct answer is E.
Explanation: This sequence mixes diagonal movement, circular movement, and color changes. The ball moves diagonally and changes color from white to black. In the last figure, it is the ball's turn to be black and it should be positioned at the bottom right. The star rotates counterclockwise and also changes color from black to white. In the missing figure, the star's position is at the top right and its color is white. The crescent moon rotates both around the shape and itself clockwise.
The crescent moon's position in the missing figure is at the bottom left, and its color is black because the color changes occur every other figure.
Therefore, the correct answer is E.
Which figure comes next in the series?
Correct answer: E
Explanation:
The ball moves clockwise inside the square, following a path that goes: corner → middle of the side → corner. So next, the ball should be in the bottom right corner.
Of the two lines, one moves clockwise and the other counterclockwise. Therefore, in the missing image, they are in the same position as in the second figure.
Correct answer: E
Explanation:
The ball moves clockwise inside the square, following a path that goes: corner → middle of the side → corner. So next, the ball should be in the bottom right corner.
Of the two lines, one moves clockwise and the other counterclockwise. Therefore, in the missing image, they are in the same position as in the second figure.