Puzzle #13: Shared Marks

Medium · Combination · target time about 24 seconds

Which option completes the pattern?

How to solve it (answer: B)

The rule

The third panel in each row keeps only the marks both panels share.

Step by step

Look at the top row: the left side and the bottom left dot, then four marks, then the bottom left dot.
The middle row follows the same rule.
Apply the same rule to the bottom row: the answer shows the bottom right dot.

Tip: Compare the first two panels mark by mark, then test each rule on the third panel.

Why the wrong options look right

The wrong options keep most of the pattern and change which marks are kept or an extra mark, so each one looks finished at a glance. Check both before you choose.

Option A: It keeps every mark from both panels.
Option C: It keeps the first panel's marks that the second panel lacks.
Option D: It adds a mark that neither panel in the row has.
Option E: It keeps every mark from both panels, and adds a mark neither panel has.
Option F: It keeps the first panel's marks that the second panel lacks, and adds a mark neither panel has.

About combination puzzles

Two cells combine into the third. Read the guide to combination puzzles for the method and the common traps.

More combination puzzles

This was one combination puzzle

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