Puzzle #21: Polygon Countdown
Medium · Progression · target time about 18 seconds
Which option completes the pattern?
How to solve it (answer: C)
The rule
In each row, the shape loses one side at each step.
Step by step
- Look at the top row: a very large hollow hexagon, then a very large hollow pentagon, then a very large hollow square.
- The middle row follows the same step.
- The bottom row goes a very large hollow hexagon, then a very large hollow pentagon, so next comes a very large hollow square.
Tip: Find what changes by the same amount each step, then check that the amount holds in every row.
Why the wrong options look right
The wrong options keep most of the pattern and change the number of sides or the size, so each one looks finished at a glance. Check both before you choose.
- Option A: It goes the wrong way: each step removes one side.
- Option B: It repeats the panel next to the gap instead of taking one more step.
- Option D: Every square in the grid is the same size, but this one is smaller.
- Option E: It goes the wrong way: each step removes one side. Every square in the grid is the same size, but this one is smaller.
- Option F: It repeats the panel next to the gap instead of taking one more step. The size changed too.
About progression puzzles
Something changes by the same step across a row. Read the guide to progression puzzles for the method and the common traps.
More progression puzzles
- #1 · EasyDisappearing Triangles
- #4 · EasyGrowing Crosses
- #8 · EasyLosing Sides
- #12 · MediumCircles Minus Two
- #16 · HardBigger With Fewer Sides
- #22 · HardFewer Shapes Each Step
This was one progression puzzle
The Cogniva test has 20 puzzles across four pattern types and gives you a free score band in about 7 minutes.
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