Overview: Figure Formation & Analysis | General Intelligence and Reasoning for SSC CGL PDF Download

Formation of Figures

The process of formation of a defined geometrical figure with the use of pieces of different designs is known as Formation of Figure.

Different types of questions covered in this section are as follows

• Based on Arrangement of the Figures
• Based on Signs and Symbols
• Based on Formation of Triangle
• Square Formation Using a Set of Figures

This section of non-verbal reasoning deals with the problems related to the formation of geometrical figures like triangle, square, circle, etc., by joining some pieces out of a group of pieces of different designs. Besides this, some questions are asked in which the question figure contains some figures which can be joined together to obtain one of the alternative answer figure and one has to find out the correct alternative. Also, there are questions in which one question figure is given and we have to find out the correct answer figure in which all the pieces which are required to form the question figure are present.
In such questions, a question figure is given followed by four/five answer choices. The candidate is required to select the correct figure out of the given answer choice figures.

Let us consider an example to get a better idea about the formation of figures
There are three blocks given as
Now, if we are asked to form a figure, then there are many possibilities to join these blocks to form a figure. But, we have to analyse the options very carefully such that these three given blocks can be transformed into the figure given in one of the answer options.
If the given options are
The above three blocks can be rearranged as

So, we have come to the conclusion that figure (a) can be formed from these blocks and hence is the correct answer.

Tips for Non Verbal Reasoning Questions on Formation of Figures

Type - 1 : Based on Arrangement of the Figures

Tip# : In this type of questions, a candidate is required to select a figure, out of the answer choice figures, that can be formed by arranging the pieces given in the question figure.

Example:
Directions - In the following question, find the figure out of the answer choice figures, that can be formed by joining the pieces given in the figure
Q:

Ans: b
Sol:  (b) Figure given in option (b) can be formed by joining the pieces given in the question figure as shown below

Type - 2 : Based on Signs and Symbols

Tip# : Such problems are just the reverse of type - 1 . In this type of questions, question figures are to be formed with the pieces of one of the figures given in the answer choices and the candidate is required to find out the correct answer figure. Sometimes, pieces of boundary lines of the question figure also given in the answer figure, then in this case these pieces are also counted for the formation of question figure. These questions require deep analysis of the question and answer figures.

Directions - In the following question, find the figure given in the answer choices, that can form the question figure.
Q:
Ans: c
Sol: Here, the question figure can be formed by joining the pieces given in option (c) as shown below

Type - 3 : Based on Formation of Triangle

Tip# : In this type of questions, a triangle (equilateral, isosceles etc.) is to be formed by joining three figures out of a group of figures of different designs. A candidate is required to find out the correct combination of figures from the given alternative combinations.

To solve these type of questions, there is no fixed rule or method. These questions requires a deep analysis of various element (design) present to form a figure and spatial analysis of the figure to be formed.

Directions - In the following question, five figures are given. Out of them, find the three figures that can be joined to form an equilateral triangle.
Q:

Ans: c
Sol: (c) An equilateral triangle has each angle measure equal to 60º and the lengths of all its three sides are also equal, Now, we cannot measure the exact value of angle and sides but we have to closely approximate these measure and values, So, keeping these points in mind, we first combine figure E and C which will look like as
Now, the missing figure which can fit in the above figure is figure D. so, the complete figure is shown as

So, the correct pair of figure is C, D and E.

Type - 4 : Square Formation Using a Set of Figures

Tip# : In this type of questions, a square is to be formed by joining three figures out of a group of figures of different designs. A candidate is required to find out the correct combination of figures from the given alternative combinations.

Directions- In the following questions, a set of five figures marked (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) are given followed by four alternatives (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the alternative which contains those figures which, if fitted together, will form a complete square.
Q;
(a) ACD
(b) CDE
(c) BCD
(d) ACE
Ans: c
Sol: The only figure with right angle is figure (C). If it is fitted with figure (B), the resultant figure will look like the below figure (X).
Now, when the figure(D) is fitted in figure (X), the resultant figure will be a square as shown in figure (Y)