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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?

purple hexagon
green triangle
yellow circle
purple triangle
green circle
yellow hexagon
purple circle
green hexagon
question mark, the missing picture?
  • A: yellow circle
  • B: purple triangle
  • C: yellow hexagon
  • D: green triangle
  • E: yellow triangle (the answer)

Why: Every row has one of each shape (hexagon, triangle, circle), so the last row needs the one that is missing. Each column keeps its own color (purple, green, yellow, left to right). So the missing figure is the yellow triangle.

Your turn

Your turn 1 of 3

swan is to cygnet as deer is to ___?

swan→cygnetdeer→?

Your turn 2 of 3

Which number comes next?

1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, ?

Your turn 3 of 3

Which figure completes the matrix?

small blue circle
purple circle
big red circle
small purple circle
red circle
big blue circle
small red circle
blue circle
question mark, the missing picture?

Keep practicing

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

Next lesson: Building equations