Figure Matrix | CSAT Preparation - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Figure Matrix questions consist of a set of diagrams or figures arranged in a rectangular matrix. The matrix structure is formed by organizing the diagrams in this manner. Each diagram within the figure matrix adheres to a specific rule. Your task is to discern this rule and make appropriate decisions based on this understanding.

Figure Matrix

In this type of question, multiple sets of figures are presented in the form of a matrix, and all of them follow the same rule. The task for the candidate is to analyze the complete sets, identify the common rule, and then use this rule to determine the missing figure in an incomplete set.

Non-verbal reasoning heavily relies on assessing a student's ability to recognize patterns and relationships among shapes and symbols based on a rule. For instance, in a number series, several numbers are interconnected through a rule. Similarly, in figure matrix questions, each element is linked through a rule. Let's solve some examples to better understand this concept.

Examples:

Example 1: In the following question, find out which of the answer figures (a), (b), (c) and (d) completes the figure matrix?
Problem Figure:

Answer Figures:

A. (a)
B. (b)
C. (c)
D. (d)

Ans: D
Explanation: Clearly, in the upper row, the number of dots in the second is twice the number of dots in the first figure. Similarly, in the lower row, the number of dots in the second figure must be twice the number of dots in the lower first figure. So, the number of dots in the missing segment is = 2×3 = 6. Thus the correct answer is D.

Example 2: In the following question, find out which of the answer figures (a), (b), (c) and (d) completes the figure matrix?
Problem Figure:

Answer figures:

A. (a)
B. (b)
C. (c)
D. (d)

Ans: B
Explanation: The two parts of the first figure are rearranged and joined along the longer sides. The common side is then removed to form the second figure. Hence the answer is B. 

Example 3: In the following question, find out which of the answer figures (a), (b), (c) and (d) completes the figure matrix?
Problem Figure:

Answer Figures:
A. (a)
B. (b)
C. (c)
D. (d)

Ans: C
Explanation: Clearly, in each row, the number of elements in the third figure is equal to the difference in the number of elements in the first and second figures. Also, the third figure has the same types of elements as that of the first figure. Therefore, the answer is clearly C. 

Example 4: In the following question, find out which of the answer figures (a), (b), (c) and (d) completes the figure matrix?
Problem Figure:

Answer Figures:
A. (a)
B. (b)
C. (c)
D. (d)

Ans: D
Explanation: In the question figure, all the arrows are headed in the same direction. They are all pointing in an anticlockwise direction. So the answer can either be (b) or (d). In (b), the shape of the arrow is unnecessarily peculiar. Hence the only shape that fits the matrix will be D. (d).

Example 5: In the following question, find out which of the answer figures (a), (b), (c) and (d) completes the figure matrix?
Problem Figure:
Answer Figures:
A. (a)
B. (b)
C. (c)
D. (d)

Ans: A
Explanation: Each column has one ‘+’, one ‘o’ and one ‘x’. The first figure of each column is without boundary and the second one is in the square. The third figure is in two squares. As there are ‘+’ and ‘o’ in the third column. So figure ‘x’ will be surrounded by two squares and the correct answer is A. 

Example 5: In the following question, find out which of the answer figures (a), (b), (c) and (d) completes the figure matrix?
Problem Figure:
Answer Figures:

A. (a)
B. (b)
C. (c)
D. (d)

Ans: C
Explanation: There is a triangle after circle and a square after triangle. In the last row, we have to find the figure inside the triangle. In the next segment of the column, there is a triangle and there must be a square inside the triangle. Thus the answer will be  C. 

Example 6: In the following question, find out which of the answer figures (a), (b), (c) and (d) completes the figure matrix?
Problem Figure:

Answer Figures:

A. (a)
B. (b)
C. (c)
D. (d)

Ans: D
Explanation: In the first and the third set, the black portion of the middle image is diagonally opposite to that of the first image. Hence, the second image in the second set must be the option D.