Reasoning Methods
Reasoning Methods
Reasoning rewards pattern recognition. Use fixed methods.
Number series
Check in this order:
- Difference
- Difference of difference
- Multiplication/division
- Squares/cubes
- Alternating pattern
- Prime/fibonacci pattern
Example:
2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
Differences:
4, 6, 8, 10
Next difference = 12, answer = 42.
Letter series
Convert letters to positions:
A=1, B=2, C=3, ..., Z=26
Check:
- forward shift,
- backward shift,
- alternating shift,
- reverse alphabet pair: A-Z, B-Y.
Coding-decoding
Common rules:
- Shift letters: A→C means +2
- Reverse alphabet: A↔Z, B↔Y
- Position values: CAT = 3,1,20
- Mixed letter-number coding
- Word reversal
Method:
- Compare known word and code.
- Identify operation.
- Apply exactly.
Blood relations
Never solve in text. Draw.
Symbols:
M = male
F = female
↑ parent
↓ child
— spouse/sibling depending context
Common relation codes:
- mother’s brother = maternal uncle
- father’s sister = paternal aunt
- wife’s mother = mother-in-law
- husband’s father = father-in-law
Direction sense
Draw arrows.
Use coordinate method:
- North = +y
- South = -y
- East = +x
- West = -x
Distance from origin:
sqrt(x² + y²)
if diagonal is required.
Syllogism
Use Venn diagrams.
Important:
- “All A are B” does not mean all B are A.
- “Some A are B” means at least one overlap.
- “No A is B” means no overlap.
- Conclusions must definitely follow, not possibly follow.
Statement and conclusion
Answer only what follows logically.
Do not use:
- personal belief,
- outside knowledge,
- emotional assumptions.
Data sufficiency
You do not need to find the answer. You need to decide whether the data is enough.
Check:
- statement I alone,
- statement II alone,
- both together,
- neither.
Visual reasoning
Check:
- rotation,
- mirror image,
- number of sides,
- number of dots/lines,
- shading position,
- clockwise movement,
- alternating shapes.
Logical puzzles
Method:
- Draw table.
- Put fixed information first.
- Use negative information carefully.
- Do not infer unless forced.