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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

Which figure completes the matrix?

outlined yellow square
yellow square
striped yellow square
2 yellow squares
2 striped yellow squares
2 outlined yellow squares
3 striped yellow squares
3 outlined yellow squares
question mark, the missing picture?
  • A: 3 yellow squares (the answer)
  • B: 2 yellow squares
  • C: 3 striped yellow squares
  • D: 3 outlined yellow squares
  • E: 3 small outlined yellow squares

Why: Each row keeps its own number of shapes (1, 2, 3, top to bottom). Every row has one of each fill (outlined, solid, striped), so the last row needs the one that is missing. So the missing figure is the 3 yellow squares.

Your turn

Your turn 1 of 3

silk is to silkworm as syrup is to ___?

silk→silkwormsyrup→?

Your turn 2 of 3

Which number comes next?

9, 21, 13, 20, 17, ?

Your turn 3 of 3

Which figure completes the matrix?

purple hexagon
red heart
blue star
red hexagon
blue heart
purple star
blue hexagon
purple heart
question mark, the missing picture?

Keep practicing

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

Next lesson: Building equations