1

SHORTCUT ON
SERIES

This Chapter is taken from our Book:

ISBN : 978-9386146984
2 NON-VERBAL REASONING

Chapter

18 Series
INT RODUCTION Positions of Elements
Th e word series is defined as Top or Up middle
anything that follows or forms a specific element
pattern or is in continuation of a given Central
pattern or sequence. element
Upper left Upper right
A B C
In this type of non-verbal test, two sets element element
of figures pose the problem. The sets Middle left H I D Middle right
are called Problem Figures and Answer element element
Lower left G F E Lower right
Figures. Each problem figure changes element element
in design from the preceding one. Bottom or Down
middle element
q Shortcut Approach Movement of Elements Through
Directions There are eight Distance
directions as follows :
Up
P Q R
N
NW NE
W S
Left W E Right
V U T
SW SE
S
Clockwise Movement
Down 1
Rotational Directions PQ= arm/step
2
There are two rotational directions P R = 1 arm/step
as follows :
1
PS=1 arm/step
2
P T = 2 arm/step
1
PS=2 arm/step
2
Clockwise Anticlockwise P R = 3 arm/step
direction (CW) direction (ACW)
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1 1
PQ=3 arm/step PP=3 arm/step
2 2
Directional Movement of Elements
P Q R

P Q R
W S 45 90
360 135
W S
315 180
V U T
270 225
V U T
Anti Clockwise Movement
1 Clockwise Movement
PW= arm/step
2
P V = 1 arm/step
P Q R
1
P U = 1 arm/step 360 315
2 45 270
W S
1 90 225
P U = 2 arm/step
2 135 180
P V = 3 arm/step V U T
1
PW=3 arm/step Anticlockwise Movement
2

TYPES OF SERIES
Type-I
A definite relationship between elements in given figures.
EXAMPLE 1.
Study the problem figures marked (A), (B) and (C) carefully and try to
establish the relationship between them. From the answer figures marked
a, b, c and d, pick out the figure which most appropriately completes the
series.
Problem Figures

(A) (B) (C)

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Answer Figures

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Sol. The direction of arrow which changes alternately. The dots are also changing
alternately. Hence, we are looking for a figure in which the arrow points down
and the dots and positioned as in figure (b).
TYPE II. Additions of Elements :
In these type of questions, each figure is obtained by either sustaining the
element of preceding figure as it is or adding a part of element or one element or
more than one element of the preceding figure in a systematic way.
EXAMPLE 2.
Problem Figures

(A) 2
(B) (C) (D)
Answer Figures

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Sol. Two line segments are added in A to obtain B and one line segment is added in
B to obtain C. This process is repeated again to obtain D. Hence, answer figure
(d) continues the series.
TYPE III. Increasing/Decreasing of Elements:
In these questions, the items in the diagrams either increase or decrease in number.
EXAMPLE 3.
Problem Figures

(A) (B) (C)

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Answer Figures

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Sol. The small circles are decreasing consecutively and the black dots are
increasing. So, figure (c) continues the series.
TYPE IV Deletion of Elements :
In these type of questions, each figure is obtained by either sustaining
the element of preceding figure as it is or deleting a part of an element or
one element or more than one element of the preceding figure in a
systematic way.

EXAMPLE 4.
Problem Figures

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

Answer Figures

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Sol. The qualitative characteristic of various elements in the diagrams change
to complete the series. So, figure (a) continues the series.
TYPE V Rotation Type :
The various elements in the diagrams move in a specific manner. They
may rotate in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

EXAMPLE 5.
Problem Figures

+ +

+
(A) (B) (C)
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Answer Figures

+ + +

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Sol. The sign of plus is rotating clockwise. The pin changes direction alternately.
So, figure (d) coninues the series.
TYPE VI Replacement of Elements :
In these type of questions, each figure is obtained by either sustaining
the element of preceding figure as it is or replacing a part of element or
one element or more than one element by a new element of the preceding
figure in a systematic way.

EXAMPLE 6.
Problem Figures

? * X D *
= X ? *
? X = * ? C D
2
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
Answer figures
* # C # * C
D D D D
# *
(a) (b) ( c) (d)
Sol. The elements positioned at north-east (NE) corners disappear from the odd-
numbered figures. The elements positioned at the south-west (SW) corners
disappear from the even-numbered figures. Therefore * should not appear in
the answer figure. Hence (a), (b) and (d) cannot be the answers. Also new
elements are introduced at the NE corners in even-numbered figures. Therefore,
answer figure (c) continues the given series.

ebooks Reference Page No.

Practice Exercises with Hints & Solutions P-130-133

Chapter Test C-35- 36
Past Solved Papers