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Matrix rules

Strategy card

In a picture grid, each row and column follows a rule.

  1. Step 1: Look across the first row. What changes?
  2. Step 2: Look down a column. What changes?
  3. Step 3: Use both rules to fill the empty box.
  4. Step 4: Check your answer in its row AND its column.

Tip: Check both directions: across and down.

Worked example

Which figure completes the matrix?

small purple hexagon
big purple hexagon
small yellow hexagon
question mark, the missing picture?
  • A: big yellow hexagon (the answer)
  • B: big purple hexagon
  • C: small yellow hexagon
  • D: big outlined green hexagon

Why: Each column keeps its own size (small, big, left to right). Each row keeps its own color (purple, yellow, top to bottom). So the missing figure is the big yellow hexagon.

Your turn

Your turn 1 of 3

Which figure completes the matrix?

red diamond
yellow diamond
red triangle
question mark, the missing picture?

Your turn 2 of 3

Which figure completes the matrix?

yellow heart
2 yellow hearts
yellow triangle
question mark, the missing picture?

Your turn 3 of 3

Which figure completes the matrix?

small yellow circle
small striped yellow circle
big yellow circle
question mark, the missing picture?

Keep practicing

Grown-ups: Ask: "What stays the same? What changes?" Parent guide

Next lesson: Paper folding