What comes next?
Strategy card
A figure pattern is a set of rules applied step by step.
- Step 1: List what changes: position, turn, count, color, fill, size.
- Step 2: Write each rule in a few words ("turns 90° right").
- Step 3: Predict the next figure before looking at the choices.
- Step 4: Match your prediction, then double-check every rule.
Tip: Predicting first stops tricky answer choices from fooling you.
Worked example
Which figure comes next in the pattern?
- A: 2 red arrows pointing up (the answer)
- B: 2 red arrows pointing left
- C: 4 red arrows pointing up
- D: 2 red arrows pointing right
- E: 3 red arrows pointing up
Why: The arrow turns a quarter turn counterclockwise each step. One fewer shape each step (then it starts again at four). So next comes the 2 red arrows 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: Talk about patterns in music, tiles or sports schedules. Parent guide
Next lesson: Analogies: find the link