What comes next?

Strategy card

Sequences of figures follow transformations, often several at once and sometimes alternating.

Step 1: Separate the features and track each one across the sequence.
Step 2: Look for alternating or cycling rules, not only steady ones.
Step 3: State the rule set, then generate the next term yourself.
Step 4: Use elimination on the options that break any rule.

Tip: If two rules seem to fight, check whether one applies only every other step.

Worked example

Which figure comes next in the pattern?

A: big yellow arrow pointing up
B: small yellow arrow pointing up (the answer)
C: small outlined yellow arrow pointing up
D: small yellow arrow pointing down-left
E: yellow arrow pointing up

Why: The arrow turns three eighths of a turn clockwise each step. The fill repeats solid, striped, outlined, again and again. The size goes small, medium, big, and starts again. So next comes the small yellow arrow pointing up.

Your turn

Your turn 1 of 3

Which figure comes next in the pattern?

Your turn 2 of 3

Which figure comes next in the pattern?

Your turn 3 of 3

Which figure comes next in the pattern?

Keep practicing

Grown-ups: Ask how they'd explain the rule to a younger sibling. Parent guide

Next lesson: Analogies: find the link