Analogy: Complete Reasoning Module
Learn how to spot the hidden relationship between two items and apply it to a third. Concepts, a step-by-step method, 28 solved MCQs and a timed mock test.
- 4 Analogy Types
- 28 Solved MCQs
- 20-Question Timed Test
Subtopics covered
- Number Analogy
- Letter Analogy
- Number Analogy (Brackets / Set Type)
- Word Analogy
Concept explanation
An analogy says: the first item is related to the second in the same way the third is related to the fourth. It is written as A : B :: C : D. Your job is to find the rule that turns A into B, then apply that same rule to C.
Step 1. Number analogy
Numbers are linked by squares, cubes, multiples, digit sums or a mix such as n² + 1.
Step 2. Letter analogy
Convert letters to positions (A = 1 … Z = 26). Rules include a fixed shift (+1, +2), an alternating shift (+1, −1), the opposite letter (positions add up to 27) or the sum of positions.
Step 3. Brackets / set type
Each bracket holds several numbers linked by one rule across the set. Solve the rule using the complete sets, then apply it to the incomplete one.
Step 4. Word analogy
Words are linked by a relationship such as worker and workplace, tool and use, part and whole, young one and parent, degree of intensity, synonym or antonym.
Procedure to solve the problem
- Identify the type. Numbers, letters, bracket sets or words?
- Study the complete pair first. Find how A becomes B.
- Name the rule. Write it in one line, such as “n² − 1” or “tool : use”.
- Test the rule on another pair. For sets, it must work on every complete bracket.
- Apply it to the third item. Calculate carefully.
- Verify against the options. If two options fit, check the direction of the relationship again.
| Type | Common patterns to test |
|---|---|
| Number | n², n³, n²±1, n³±1, n(n+1), digit sum |
| Letter | Fixed shift, alternating shift, increasing shift, opposite letter (sum 27), letter-position sum |
| Set | Sum, product, a²+b², (a+b)², powers, a²−b² |
| Word | Tool/use, worker/place, part/whole, young one, synonym, antonym, degree |
Solved MCQs (7 per type, basic to advanced)
Tap an option to check your answer instantly. The answer and explanation are shown below each question.
Number Analogy
Q1. 29 : 11 :: 58 : ?
Answer: C. 13. The rule is the sum of digits: 2 + 9 = 11, so 5 + 8 = 13.
Q2. 3 : 27 :: 4 : ?
Answer: C. 64. Cube of the number: 3³ = 27, so 4³ = 64.
Q3. 5 : 30 :: 7 : ?
Answer: B. 56. Rule n(n + 1): 5 × 6 = 30, so 7 × 8 = 56.
Q4. 8 : 65 :: 11 : ?
Answer: B. 122. Rule n² + 1: 8² + 1 = 65, so 11² + 1 = 122.
Q5. 6 : 215 :: 9 : ?
Answer: B. 728. Rule n³ − 1: 6³ − 1 = 215, so 9³ − 1 = 729 − 1 = 728.
Q6. 4 : 68 :: 6 : ?
Answer: A. 222. Rule n³ + n: 4³ + 4 = 68, so 6³ + 6 = 216 + 6 = 222.
Q7. 7 : 392 :: 5 : ?
Answer: B. 150. Rule n²(n + 1): 7² × 8 = 49 × 8 = 392, so 5² × 6 = 150.
Letter Analogy
Q1. CAT : DBU :: DOG : ?
Answer: A. EPH. Every letter moves +1: D→E, O→P, G→H.
Q2. BAG : DCI :: CUP : ?
Answer: A. EWR. Every letter moves +2: C→E, U→W, P→R.
Q3. BE : YV :: CF : ?
Answer: A. XU. Each letter becomes its opposite (positions add to 27). C(3)→X(24), F(6)→U(21).
Q4. FACE : GZDD :: BOLD : ?
Answer: A. CNMC. Alternating +1, −1, +1, −1. B→C, O→N, L→M, D→C.
Q5. DOG : EQJ :: CAT : ?
Answer: A. DCW. Shifts increase: +1, +2, +3. C→D, A→C, T→W.
Q6. CAB : 6 :: FED : ?
Answer: C. 15. Add letter positions: C3 + A1 + B2 = 6. So F6 + E5 + D4 = 15.
Q7. AZBY : CXDW :: EVFU : ?
Answer: A. GTHS. Each group pairs a letter with its opposite: A-Z, B-Y; C-X, D-W; E-V, F-U. The next group is G-T, H-S, written GTHS.
Number Analogy (Brackets / Set Type)
Q1. (4, 6, 10), (7, 9, 16), (12, 15, ?)
Answer: B. 27. Third = first + second. 12 + 15 = 27.
Q2. (2, 3, 6), (4, 5, 20), (6, 7, ?)
Answer: C. 42. Third = first × second. 6 × 7 = 42.
Q3. (5, 24), (7, 48), (9, ?)
Answer: B. 80. Second = first² − 1. 9² − 1 = 80.
Q4. (3, 4, 25), (5, 12, 169), (8, 15, ?)
Answer: B. 289. Third = a² + b². 64 + 225 = 289.
Q5. (1, 2, 9), (2, 4, 36), (3, 5, ?)
Answer: B. 64. Third = (a + b)². (3 + 5)² = 64.
Q6. (2, 4, 8), (3, 9, 27), (5, 25, ?)
Answer: B. 125. Set is (n, n², n³). 5³ = 125.
Q7. (5, 3, 4), (13, 5, 12), (17, 8, ?)
Answer: B. 15. First² = second² + third². 289 − 64 = 225, so third = 15.
Word Analogy
Q1. Pen : Write :: Knife : ?
Answer: A. Cut. A pen is a tool used to write; a knife is a tool used to cut.
Q2. Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?
Answer: B. School. Person and the place where they work.
Q3. Foal : Horse :: Cygnet : ?
Answer: B. Swan. A foal is a young horse; a cygnet is a young swan.
Q4. Thermometer : Temperature :: Odometer : ?
Answer: B. Distance. Instrument and the quantity it measures. An odometer records distance travelled.
Q5. Petal : Flower :: Bristle : ?
Answer: A. Brush. Part and whole. A bristle is part of a brush.
Q6. Drizzle : Downpour :: Whisper : ?
Answer: B. Shout. Degree of intensity: a drizzle is light rain and a downpour is heavy; a whisper is soft speech and a shout is loud.
Q7. Verbose : Concise :: Humble : ?
Answer: A. Arrogant. Antonyms. Verbose is the opposite of concise, and humble is the opposite of arrogant.
Timed practice test
| Questions | 20 (picked at random from a pool of 24) |
|---|---|
| Time allowed | 20 minutes |
| Marking | 1 mark per correct answer, no negative marking |
| Tools | Mark for review and a jump-to-question panel |
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