Skip to main content
Kidorizon
Sign up free
Add a child
AccountParent dashboard

Rule out wrong answers

Strategy card

Elimination is a smart strategy when you're stuck.

  1. Step 1: Find one thing you're sure about (like "it must be red").
  2. Step 2: Cross out every answer that breaks it.
  3. Step 3: Find a second clue and cross out more.
  4. Step 4: Pick from what's left and double-check.

Tip: Even ruling out one answer makes a good guess more likely.

Worked example

The figures in the box follow one rule. Which answer follows the same rule?

2 striped blue diamonds2 blue hearts2 striped yellow squares
  • A: 4 striped red squares
  • B: 4 outlined green stars
  • C: 4 outlined blue squares
  • D: yellow square
  • E: 2 striped red triangles (the answer)

Why: All the figures in the box have the same number of shapes (2). Only the 2 striped red triangles has that too. The color and shape and fill can change, so they don't matter.

Your turn

Your turn 1 of 3

piano goes with instrument. apple goes with ___?

piano→instrumentapple→?

Your turn 2 of 3

Which number comes next?

11, 17, 12, 18, 13, ?

Your turn 3 of 3

The figures in the box follow one rule. Which answer follows the same rule?

outlined blue trianglebig outlined purple circleoutlined green triangle

Keep practicing

Grown-ups: Ask: "Which ones could you rule out? Why?" Parent guide

Next lesson: Building equations