Read the rows, then the columns

Find the rule that runs across a grid before you look at the answer options.

Read one row at a time

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The top row goes one, two, three.

A grid like this follows a rule. Read the top row from left to right and name what changes.

Here the count grows by one: one circle, two circles, three circles.

More

1Read a row from left to right. Name what changes.

2Check what changes down a column.

3Look at the answer options last.

Lesson help

Try naming the rule across a row and then down a column before you look at the answer options.

About this lesson

Try the method in a practice when you are ready.

Report

Read one row at a time

A grid like this follows a rule. Read the top row from left to right and name what changes.

Here the count grows by one: one circle, two circles, three circles.

1Read a row from left to right. Name what changes.

2Check what changes down a column.

3Look at the answer options last.

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The top row goes one, two, three.

Check the rule down a column

Every row in this grid counts up: one, two, three. The empty cell is third in its row, so it holds three shapes.

Now read down the last column. Three circles, then three squares. The count stays at three, and the shape changes with each row.

The bottom row is triangles, so the empty cell holds three triangles.

These grids change one thing at a time. In the practice a grid can combine more than one rule, and the symbols also vary in fill and direction.

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Down the last column: three circles, three squares, then the empty cell.

Try a new grid

This grid uses a different rule. Read the top row from left to right, then check down the last column.

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One cell is empty.

Try it

What belongs in the empty cell?

  1. One triangle
  2. One circle
Show the answer

One circle

Each row goes three, two, one, so the empty cell holds one shape. Down every column the shape changes square, triangle, circle, so the bottom row is circles. One circle is the only choice that fits both rules.

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