Figure Series
Figure Series
Figure series problems require identifying the pattern in a sequence of figures and predicting the next one. Patterns involve rotation, element addition/removal, shading changes, and positional shifts.
Key Idea
Isolate each element of the figure independently — track rotation angle, count of elements, shading sequence, and position shift for each element across the series.
Core Rules
Rotation Pattern
Check if the main element rotates by a fixed angle (45°, 90°, 180°) in each step
When the figure appears similar but oriented differently in each frame.
Element Count Pattern
Count distinct elements (lines, dots, shapes) in each frame — look for +1, +2, or alternating patterns
When the number of components in the figure changes across frames.
Shading Cycle
Track shading (empty → half → full → empty) as a repeating cycle
When parts of the figure alternate between shaded and unshaded.
Positional Shift
An inner element may move clockwise, counterclockwise, or diagonally by fixed steps
When a small element inside a larger shape changes position each frame.
Relevant Exams
Figure series is a staple of SSC CGL non-verbal reasoning (3-5 questions). Pattern recognition speed improves dramatically with practice on rotation + element counting.