Shortcuts in Reasoning for Competitive Exams – Figure Formation and Analysis

Shortcuts in Reasoning for Competitive Exams – Figure Formation and Analysis

Shortcuts in Reasoning Quantitative Aptitude English

Figure Formation and Analysis

INTRODUCTION

In this topic, a question is one of the following types :

1. Formation of triangles/square/ rectangle etc. either by joining of three figures after choosing them from the given five figures or by joining any other pieces after selecting them from given alternatives.
2. Making up a figure from given components.
3. Making up a three dimensional figure by paper folding.
4. Rearrangement of the parts of given figure.
5. Fragmentation of key figure into simple pieces.

TYPE – I : Formation of triangles/ square/rectangle etc. either by joining of three figures after choosing them from the given five figures or by joining any other pieces after selecting them from given alternatives.

EXAMPLE 1 .

A set of five figures (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) are followed by four combinations as the alternatives. Select the combination of figures which if fitted together, will form a complete triangle.

Solution . If figures A, B and E are fitted together, the resultant figure will be a triangle.

TYPE – II : Making up a figure from given components

EXAMPLE 2.

Find out which of the alternatives (a), (b), (c) and (d) can be formed from the pieces given in box ‘X’.

Solution .

Figure (b) can be formed from the pieces the given in box ’X’.

TYPE – III : Making up a three dimensional figure by paper folding. In this type, we have to analyze when a paper folded along the lines, how a three dimensional figure look like. Sometimes, a key figure is given which is made by folding one of the four figures given in alternatives. We have to determine which figure can be used to create the key figure.

EXAMPLE 3 .

A figure ‘X’ is given. You have to choose the correct figure, given in the alternatives, when folded along the lines, will produce the given figure ‘X’.

Solution . Figure (a) will produce the given figure ‘X’

TYPE-IV : Rearrangement of the parts of given figure. In this type of questions, a key figure is given. We have to identify the figure from alternatives that is a rearrangement of parts of key figure.

EXAMPLE 4 .

Which figure is the rearrangement of the parts of the given figure.

Solution . Figure (a) is the rearrangement of the parts of the given figure ‘X’.

TYPE-V : Fragmentation of key figure into simple pieces.
This type is opposite to TYPE-II. In this type, a key figure is given and every alternatives has different pieces. We have to select the set of pieces that can make the given key figure.

EXAMPLE 5 .

Find out which of the alternatives will exactly make up the key figure (X)

Solution . Figure (a) will exactly make up the key figure ‘X’

Shortcut Approach

• The number of elements given to form a figure must be equal to the elements present in the answer figure. This will help you to easily eliminate some ofthe option figures.
• The size of pieces of figures in the question figure and the size of pieces used to form a figure may vary but their shapes must have to be similar.