What comes next?

Strategy card

Sequences of figures follow transformations, often several at once and sometimes alternating.

Step 1: Separate the features and track each one across the sequence.
Step 2: Look for alternating or cycling rules, not only steady ones.
Step 3: State the rule set, then generate the next term yourself.
Step 4: Use elimination on the options that break any rule.

Tip: If two rules seem to fight, check whether one applies only every other step.

Worked example

Which figure comes next in the pattern?

A: 3 small red circles
B: 2 big red circles
C: 2 small red hexagons
D: 2 small red circles (the answer)
E: small red circle

Why: The shape repeats circle, hexagon, star, again and again. One fewer shape each step (then it starts again at four). The size goes small, medium, big, and starts again. So next comes the 2 small red circles.

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: Ask how they'd explain the rule to a younger sibling. Parent guide

Next lesson: Analogies: find the link