Figure Analogy and Classification in Non-Verbal Reasoning: Odd One Out and Relation Between Figures for SSC

In figure analogy you are given two figures with a relation (Figure 1 : Figure 2) and must find the figure that has the same relation with a third figure. In figure classification (odd one out) you must find the figure that does not belong to the group. This guide on figure analogy and classification for SSC explains the common relations and the method, with solved examples described in words, practice questions and FAQs.

Figure Analogy: Method

1. Compare the first figure with the second and note exactly what has changed (number, position, shape, shading, size, direction).
2. Write the relation in words, for example “the figure is rotated by 90° clockwise and the inner shape is shaded”.
3. Apply the same relation to the third figure.
4. Choose the option that matches the result; eliminate the options with a different number of elements or a different orientation.

Common Relations in Figure Analogy

Figure Classification (Odd One Out): Method

1. Look at the group of figures and find the common property of four of them.
2. Check the number of lines, curves, sides, dots and enclosed spaces.
3. Check the symmetry (line symmetry or rotational symmetry).
4. Check the shading and the direction of the elements.
5. The figure that does not follow the property is the odd one.

Common Properties Used in Classification

Solved Examples (Described Figures)

Example 1. A triangle with the point up is related to a triangle with the point down (a 180° rotation). In the same way, a square with a dot at the top is related to?
A square with the dot at the bottom.

Example 2. Figure 1 is a square and Figure 2 is a square with a dot in its centre. What is related to a circle in the same way?
A circle with a dot in its centre.

Example 3. Odd one out: a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a circle, a hexagon.
The circle, which has no straight sides.

Example 4. Odd one out among the figures having 3, 3, 3, 4 and 3 enclosed spaces.
The figure with 4 enclosed spaces.

Example 5. Odd one out: four arrows pointing up, up, up and down.
The arrow pointing down.

Example 6. Figure 1 has 2 lines and Figure 2 has 4 lines. If Figure 3 has 3 lines, how many lines should the answer figure have?
The number of lines doubles, so the answer has 6 lines.

Tips and Tricks

• Do the analogy in two steps: find the relation and then apply it.
• Count first (lines, dots, sides, regions); most of the questions are based on counting.
• If the relation seems complex, check if two simple changes are combined.
• In the odd one out, find the one property which four figures share and the fifth lacks.
• Do not compare the figures as a whole; compare their parts.

Quick Tips

• Count the elements in each figure first.
• Write the relation in words before applying it.
• Check the symmetry and the number of enclosed spaces in classification.
• Eliminate the options with a different number of elements.

Quick Revision Points

• Figure analogy: find the relation between the first two and apply it to the third.
• Common relations: rotation, reflection, shading, addition and size.
• Classification: find the common property of the group.
• Count the sides, lines, dots and closed regions.
• Use elimination in the options.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. In an analogy, what is the first thing to find?
   Answer: The relation between the first two figures
2. What is the odd one: triangle, square, hexagon, circle, pentagon?
   Answer: Circle
3. A figure doubles the number of its lines. If a figure with 5 lines is given, what will the answer have?
   Answer: 10 lines
4. What does a mirror relation do to a figure?
   Answer: Flips it left to right
5. What do you count in classification?
   Answer: Lines, sides, dots and closed regions
6. What is the odd one out among 4 closed figures and 1 open figure?
   Answer: The open figure
7. An unshaded circle becomes a shaded circle. What change is it?
   Answer: Change of shading
8. What is the relation if a square becomes a triangle and a triangle becomes a line?
   Answer: Reduction in the number of sides by one
9. What kind of symmetry may differ in the odd one out?
   Answer: Line symmetry
10. Why do we use elimination?
    Answer: To reject the options with the wrong count or orientation quickly

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Non Verbal Reasoning notes page, read the previous topic Figure Series and Pattern Continuation and the next topic Figure Matrix and Missing Figure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is figure analogy?

A question in which the relation between two figures must be applied to a third figure.

What is the odd one out in figures?

The figure that does not share the property of the others.

What do I look for first in an analogy?

What has changed from the first figure to the second.

What are the common changes?

Rotation, reflection, shading, addition, removal and size.

What do I count in the classification questions?

The lines, sides, curves, closed spaces and dots.

What is line symmetry?

A figure that can be folded along a line into two matching halves.

Is this topic asked in SSC?

Yes. These are regular non-verbal questions.

How much time should I take?

About 20 to 30 seconds.

What is the best strategy for the options?

Eliminate the options that clearly do not match.

Can the relation have two parts?

Yes, for example a rotation and a change in shading together.

What is an enclosed region?

A space completely surrounded by lines.

How can I practise?

By solving many figure questions and writing the relation in words.