Dice Reasoning Tricks: Opposite Faces, Two and Three Positions of a Dice for SSC CGL, CHSL

A dice reasoning question shows a dice in two or three positions and asks which number or symbol is on the face opposite to a given face. There is one rule behind all such questions, and it takes less than 30 seconds once you know it. These dice reasoning tricks for SSC explain the common face rule, the standard dice facts and solved examples.

Facts About a Dice

In a standard dice the opposite faces add up to 7. But in most SSC questions the numbers are placed in a different way, so use the figures of the question, and not the standard dice, unless the question says that it is a standard dice.

Important Rules

1. Two faces that are opposite to each other can never be seen together in one position.
2. Faces that are seen together in one position are neighbours (adjacent faces).
3. Common face rule: if two positions of a dice have two common faces, then the remaining face of the first position and the remaining face of the second position are opposite to each other.
4. If only one face is common in two positions, use the other positions or the order in which the faces are written to find the answer.

Solved Examples

Example 1. Position I shows 1, 2 and 3. Position II shows 1, 3 and 5. Which number is opposite to 2?
The faces 1 and 3 are common. The remaining faces are 2 (first) and 5 (second), so 5 is opposite to 2.

Example 2. Position I shows 2, 3 and 4. Position II shows 2, 4 and 6. Which number is opposite to 3?
The common faces are 2 and 4. The remaining faces are 3 and 6, so 6 is opposite to 3.

Example 3. Position I shows A, B and C. Position II shows A, D and B. Position III shows E, B and C. Which letter is opposite to A?
Positions I and II have the common faces A and B, so C and D are opposite. Positions I and III have the common faces B and C, so A and E are opposite. The answer is E. The last pair is B and F (the sixth face).

Example 4. If the top of a standard dice shows 5, what is at the bottom?
The opposite faces add up to 7, so the bottom shows 7 − 5 = 2.

Example 5. Position I shows 4, 1 and 2. Position II shows 4, 2 and 6. Which number is opposite to 1?
The common faces are 4 and 2. The remaining faces are 1 and 6, so 6 is opposite to 1.

Tips

• Write the positions in a row and tick the common faces.
• Make a list of the opposite pairs as you find them. The last pair is the pair left over.
• Do not use the sum-7 rule unless the question says "standard dice".

Quick Tips

• Look for two common faces in two positions.
• The two remaining faces are opposite.
• Write the opposite pairs in a list as you find them.
• Use the sum of 7 only for a standard dice.

Quick Revision Points

• A dice has 6 faces, 12 edges and 8 corners.
• Opposite faces are never seen together.
• Two common faces mean the other two faces are opposite.
• A standard dice has opposite faces that add up to 7.
• The last pair of opposite faces is found by elimination.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Which number is opposite to 1 on a standard dice?
   Answer: 6
2. Which number is opposite to 5 on a standard dice?
   Answer: 2
3. What is the total of the dots on a standard dice?
   Answer: 21
4. Position I shows 1, 2, 3 and position II shows 1, 3, 5. Which number is opposite to 2?
   Answer: 5
5. Position I shows 2, 3, 4 and position II shows 2, 4, 6. Which number is opposite to 3?
   Answer: 6
6. Position I shows A, B, C, position II shows A, D, B and position III shows E, B, C. Which letter is opposite to A?
   Answer: E
7. How many faces of a dice can be seen at the same time from one corner?
   Answer: 3
8. Can two opposite faces be seen together in one position?
   Answer: No
9. Position I shows 4, 1, 2 and position II shows 4, 2, 6. Which number is opposite to 1?
   Answer: 6
10. If the top of a standard dice is 3, what is at the bottom?
    Answer: 4

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 Reasoning notes page, read the previous topic Number Analogy and Classification and the next topic Number Coding Decoding. Also read Cubes and Dice for painted cubes and nets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rule of two positions of a dice?

If two faces are common in two positions, the remaining face of each position is opposite to the other.

Can opposite faces be seen together?

No. Opposite faces cannot be seen at the same time in one position.

What are opposite faces on a standard dice?

1 and 6, 2 and 5, and 3 and 4.

How many faces are visible from a corner?

Three faces are visible from one corner.

What if only one face is common?

Use the order of the faces in the figures, or the third position to find the answer.

How many faces, edges and corners does a dice have?

A dice has 6 faces, 12 edges and 8 corners.

Is the sum of opposite faces always 7?

Only in a standard dice. In SSC questions, the figures decide.

Is dice reasoning asked in SSC exams?

Yes. Dice questions come in SSC CGL, CHSL and MTS reasoning papers.

How much time should I take?

About 30 seconds.

What are common mistakes?

Using the sum-7 rule on a non-standard dice.

How can I practise dice questions?

Make a paper dice, write letters on it and turn it to see the positions.

What is the difference between a cube and a dice?

A dice is a cube with numbers or symbols on its faces.