Formation of Figures | General Intelligence and Reasoning for SSC CGL PDF Download

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

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.

Directions (Example Nos. 1-4) In each of the following questions, find the figure out of the answer choice figures, that can be formed by joining the pieces given in the figure

Example 1:

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

Example 2:

Solution: (c)
Figure given in option (c) can be formed by joining the pieces given in the question figure as shown below

Example 3:

Solution: (a) 
Figure given in option (a) can be formed by joining the pieces given in the question figure as shown below

Example 4:

Solution: (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 (Example Nos. 1-2) In each of the following questions, find the figure given in the answer choices, that can form the question figure.

Example 1:

Solution: (c) 
Here, the question figure can be formed by joining the pieces given in option (c) as shown below

Example 2:

Solution: (c)
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 (Example Nos. 1-2) In each of the following questions, five figures are given. Out of them, find the three figures that can be joined to form an equilateral triangle.

Example 1:

a) ABC
b) BCD
c) CDE
d) BDE

Solution: (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

Example 2:

a) ABE
b) BCE
c) ADE
d) BDE

Solution: (c)
As done in above example, we have to closely approximate the different measures, So first we combine the figure (E) and (A) 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

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 (Example Nos. 1-2) In each of 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.

Example 1:

a) ACD
b) CDE
c) BCD
d)ACE

Solution: (c)
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)

Example 2:

a) ABD
b) CDE
c) ABC
d) ACE

Solution: (d) 
If the figure (C) and (A) are fitted together, the resultant figure will look like the below figure (X).
now, if the figure (E) is fitted in figure (X), the resultant figure will be a square as shown in figure (Y)

Hence, combination of figure as presented by alternative(d) is the correct combination of figures to form a square.