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predicting the next piece in a pattern/series

MEASURE Test your knowledge!

In the current world that we live in,

patterns are everywhere! From the bed
sheets that we sleep in, to the leaves
that we see outside, there is at least
one pattern that we can observe in our
everyday lives.

But did you know that in Abstract

Reasoning, identifying the pattern
plays an important role in answering a
question?

In this module, we’ll discuss how

finding the pattern will help us in
Figure 1. A leaf that has an
predicting the next piece in a series.
observable pattern of lines due to its
veins

INSPIRE Set your goals!

Predict the next piece in a pattern and in a series

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TEACH Learn with us!

In predicting the next piece in a pattern/series, identifying the pattern in the

sequence of diagrams would play a major role. While there aren't any specified step-
to-step instructions in predicting the next piece in a pattern/series, we’ll discuss
some tips and tricks together with some examples that will help us to predict in this
module. Let’s begin.

EXAMPLE #1

Figure 2. An example question of predicting the next piece in a pattern

In the given pattern above, you are given a series of patterns (left side) which would
be used in predicting the next piece in a pattern/series. The possible answers are on
the right side, the ones with letters on the bottom.

The first tip would be identifying all of the elements in the given series. By
identifying first all the elements, which are the observable objects (can be a shape,
color, line, and such) in the series, it would be easier to identify the pattern. In
Example #1, the elements in the series are the background of the outer square and
the inner white square.

After being able to identify all of the elements, the second tip would be observing
the change of the identified elements that have occurred between the given
series of patterns.

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NOTE:
In identifying if a change did occur, these guide questions may help:

- “Did it change in position?”

- “Did it change in color?”

- “Did a rotation occur?”

- “Did a mirroring occur?”

- “Did it change in size?”

- “Did the number of the element increase/decrease?”

In Example #1, the background of the outer square has a pattern which is to
alternate the color of half black and half white. For the inner white square, it is
observable that there is an increase of one inner white square as the series
progresses.

After identifying the change/pattern of the identified elements, it is now time to use
the pattern in predicting what would be the next piece. The answer would be
the piece that would satisfy all of the previously identified patterns. In the Example,
the correct answer would be A, as it satisfies both patterns, which are: “alternating
the color of half black and half white for the background of the outer square” and
“increase of one inner white square as the series progresses”.

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EXAMPLE #2
TEACH

Figure 3. Another type of a predicting the next piece in a series question

This is an example of a question that doesn’t necessarily require to follow the steps
that I mentioned previously, as each of us can have a different approach in
answering a single question. However, despite having different approaches, we all
have one thing in common in order to predict the next piece in a series: finding the
pattern.

In Example #2, it can be seen that there is a sequence of dominos, with each having
a different number of dots. There are two patterns in the series, which are “Starting
from the top of the first domino, the number of dots are decreasing by 1 and is
alternating top and bottom” and “Starting from the bottom of the first domino, the
number of dots decreases by 1 for every two dominos, and is alternating bottom
and top positions as well”.

Using the pattern, the correct answer for Example #2 would be B.

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SUMMARIZE Wrap it up!

While each of us may have different ways to approach in solving a question that
asks us to predict the next piece in a series, figuring out the pattern will play a very
important role. However, here are some tips and tricks summary from the lesson
above:

1. Identify all of the elements in the given series.

2. Observe the change of the identified elements that have occurred between
the given series of patterns.
3. Use the pattern in predicting what would be the next piece.

APPLY Check your learning!

INSTRUCTIONS: Write on the blanks after the number the letter of the answer
you think is the next piece in the given series.

1. __________

A B C D E

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2. __________

A B C D E
3. __________

4. __________

5. __________

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6. __________

7. __________

8. __________

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9. __________

10. __________

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ANSWER KEY

Apply:
(1) C. There is only one line that is rotating at a time, and it is alternating. The
direction of the rotation would be clockwise, and the angle increases by a
factor of 45. Using this pattern, we can predict that the angle of the rotation
would be 225.

(2) D. We could identify 3 elements, namely the T-shaped divider, the green
colored part, and the black box. The T-shaped divider is rotating clockwise, and
the green colored part and the black box movement is relative to the T-shaped
divider. The green colored part is moving counterclockwise relative to the T-
shaped divider, while the black box is always on the right relative to the divider
as well. However, if the green colored part is in the same area as the black box,
the black box disappears and only the green colored can be seen.

(3) A. A box would be added as the series goes on, and it can be observed that
the color of the blocks alternate from black to white, and vice versa.

(4) C. There are two elements: the line and the shape. The line rotates 45
degrees clockwise, while the shape in the top left will move to the bottom right
and replace the shape previously there; a new shape may or may not be seen
on the top left corner.

(5) D. There is an alternating pattern for the right portion of the horizontal line,
as it alternates between exceeding and not exceeding the inner circle.

(6) D. The first diagram has two shapes that are arranged vertically, while the
other one has black square on the ends of the border. The next one in the
sequence should have two shapes that are arranged vertically.

(7) B. Each diagram has 8 different elements, which are actually just arranged
randomly. Only letter B has the same 8 different elements which are arranged
randomly.

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(8) C. For the top halves, there is a repeating pattern of having the number 5,
4, 1; on the other hand, the bottom halves have a repeating pattern of 2, 3, 6.
After the first 3 dominos, the pattern in the previously bottom halves can be
observed in the upper halves, while the pattern in the previously upper
halves can be observed in the bottom halves. This means that the pattern of
the top half and bottom half switch places every 3 dominos.

(9) B. The first pattern, to be seen in the top halves of the first 2 dominos, is
the sequence of “4, 2”; on the other hand, the second pattern on the bottom
half is “5, 5, 4, 5, 3, 5” where the first number is being subtracted by 1 while
the second number remains the same as 5. These two patterns alternate with
one another’s position for every 2 dominos from top to bottom and bottom
to top.

(10) D. The first pattern that can be seen on the top of the first domino is “3,
blank, 3, blank, 3, blank,” while the second one on the bottom of the first
domino is “blank, 1, 2, 3, 4”. These two patterns are then being alternated
with one another in position for every 1 domino.

REFERENCES
Abstract reasoning tests: 90 free questions with tips. (2021, February 26).
https://www.wikijob.co.uk/content/aptitude-tests/test-types/abstract-
reasoning/#1-which-figure-completes-the-sequence
Abstract reasoning: Take a free practice test now! (n.d.).
https://www.wikijob.co.uk/aptitude-test/abstract-reasoning
Adams, J. (2021, February 02). How to pass an abstract reasoning
test. WikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com/Pass-an-Abstract-Reasoning-Test
Lacy, K. (n.d.). Green Leaf [Digital image].
https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-leaf-2559931/

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