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Rule out wrong answers

Strategy card

Elimination turns a hard problem into several easy checks.

  1. Step 1: Identify a necessary condition (count, parity, symmetry, sign).
  2. Step 2: Apply it to every option.
  3. Step 3: Repeat with another condition until one option survives.
  4. Step 4: Verify the survivor fully; don't assume.

Tip: Quick checks such as units digits, parity, or symmetry often clear most options fast.

Worked example

Which figure completes the matrix?

small outlined red arrow pointing left
small outlined red arrow pointing up
small outlined red arrow pointing right
outlined red arrow pointing left
outlined red arrow pointing up
outlined red arrow pointing right
big outlined red arrow pointing left
big outlined red arrow pointing up
question mark, the missing picture?
  • A: big outlined red arrow pointing up
  • B: outlined red arrow pointing right
  • C: big outlined red arrow pointing right (the answer)
  • D: big outlined red arrow pointing left
  • E: 3 big outlined red arrows pointing down-right

Why: Each row keeps its own size (small, medium, big, top to bottom). Each column keeps its own direction (pointing left, pointing up, pointing right, left to right). So the missing figure is the big outlined red arrow pointing right.

Your turn

Your turn 1 of 3

curator is to museum as judge is to ___?

curator→museumjudge→?

Your turn 2 of 3

Which number comes next?

3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, ?

Your turn 3 of 3

Which figure completes the matrix?

yellow diamond
2 outlined yellow diamonds
3 striped yellow diamonds
yellow triangle
2 outlined yellow triangles
3 striped yellow triangles
yellow hexagon
2 outlined yellow hexagons
question mark, the missing picture?

Keep practicing

Grown-ups: Talk about how detectives and doctors rule things out. Parent guide

Next lesson: Building equations