Tips on cracking Questions Based on Visual Spatial Problem Solving

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9 TIPS on cracking Aptitude Questions on
Visual-Spatial Problem Solving
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Tip 1 For pattern construction questions,
remember that the resultant pattern must be
formed using only the given figures
Question Find out which of the figures (1), (2),
(3), (4) can be formed from the pieces given in
figure (X).
Solution The figure must consist of a right
triangle, a trapezium and an irregular pentagon,
as shown above. Looking at the options one by
one, we see that option (1) consists of the given
figures rotated by 90, the triangle and
trapezium, clockwise, and the pentagon,
anti-clockwise. (2) is not made of any of (X)
except the trapezium. Similarly, (3) does not
contain the pentagon and (4) consists of all
shapes other than those in (X). Thus, the correct
option is (1). Question Find out which of the
figures (1), (2), (3), (4) can be formed from the
pieces given in figure (X).
Solution (X) Consists of 2 isosceles triangles
and 2 right angled triangles. Now, (1), (2) and
(4) cannot be formed using only these figures.
Only (3) can be made using them, as follows
Thus, the answer is (3).
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Tip 2 Sometimes, it is quicker to just
eliminate the invalid options
Question Find out how will the key figure (X)
look like after rotation.
Solution We analyze the options one by one. (1)
can be eliminated since it contains more sections
than the given figure. Similarly, (2) and (3) are
also different from (X). Hence the answer is
(4). Question Select the alternative in which
the specified components of the key figure (X)
are found. Solution Analyzing the
options one by one, we see that (1) and (2) do
not consist of ( ? ), while (3) consists of (?),
which is not present in (X) at all. Thus, all
these options are eliminated, and the correct
answer is (4), which, we may cross-check as
containing all components of (X) only.
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Tip 3 For problems on Paper Cutting, imagine
the process of folding, cutting and opening, and
draw indicative diagrams if required
Question Choose a figure which would most
closely resemble the unfolded form of Figure
(Z). A. (1) B. (2) C. (3)
D. (4) Solution The paper has been folded at
2 corners and 1 hole has been made on each fold.
Since the paper was folded from either corner,
when they are unfolded, there will be 4 holes,
all on the diagonal joining them. Thus, figure
(3) is the correct figure, and the answer is
(C). Question Choose a figure which would most
closely resemble the unfolded form of Figure
(Z). A. (1) B. (2) C. (3)
D. (4) Solution The paper has been folded
equally thrice. Now, when it is unfolded, it
will consist of 4 symmetrical parts, that look
exactly like the cutout in form (Z). Thus, one
of (2) and (3) is correct. Now, figure (3) is
incorrect since there is a cut along the base of
the (Z) which will result in a joint shape. So
the answer is (B).
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Tip 4 In Dot Situation problems, simply find
the figure that contains all the sections as the
dots in the original figure
Question Select the figure which satisfies the
same conditions of placement of the dots as in
Figure-X. Solution In (X), one of the
dots lies in the region common to circle and
square only, another dot lies in the region
common to square, triangle and rectangle only and
the 3rd dot lies in the region common to triangle
and rectangle only. In each of the figures (1),
(2) and (3) there is no region common to square,
triangle and rectangle only. Only fig. (4)
consists of all the 3 types of regions.
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Tip 5 For problems on Embedded Images, find the
figure from the given options in which the
original figure can be completely traced
Question Find out the alternative figure which
contains figure (X) as its part. (A) 1
(B) 2 (C) 3 (D)
4 Solution Looking at the answer figures one by
one (X) cannot be traced anywhere in (1).
Again, (X) (1) (2)
(3) (4) in (2), the figure is the
lateral inversion of (X) Similarly, in (4), the
figure is broken. Thus, all of these can be
eliminated. Only in fig. (3) can fig. (X) be
traced. Therefore, the answer is (C). Question
Find out the alternative figure which contains
figure (X) as its part. (A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D) 4 Solution From the
figures, it is clear that fig. (X) cannot be
traced in fig. (1), (2) and (3), but can
be traced only in fig. (4). Thus, the answer is
(X) (1) (2)
(3) (4) (D).
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Tip 6 Mirror Image of a figure has all parts of
the figure laterally inverted but not vertically.

• Some points to note are
• Mirror images of alphabets A, H, I, M, O, T, U,
  V, W, X, Y, and digits 0, 8, are the same as the
  original ones.
• The mirror image of a sequence of words and/or
  numbers is the mirror image of each, written in
  the reverse order.
• The figure should remain the same vertically.
• Question Choose the alternative which is
  closely resembles the mirror image of the given
  combination.
• Solution
• Only the 2nd option can be correct since in all
  the other
• options the 1st and last characters are
  incorrect, i.e.,
• not beginning with the mirror image of 2 and
• ending with A. Thus, the answer is (2).
• Question Choose the correct mirror image of the
  figure (X) from amongst the alternatives
• Solution
• Options (1) and (2) may be eliminated since they
  are
• vertically inverted as well. Now, since the small
  square
• Appears on the left side of the line in (X), it
  should
• Appear on the right side of the line in the
  mirror image. (X) (1) (2)
  (3) (4)
• So the answer is (3).

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Tip 7 Water Image of a figure has all parts of
the figure vertically inverted

• Thus, here
• The water images of alphabets B, C, D, E, H, I,
  K, O, X, and of digits 0, 8, remain the same as
  the original.
• The water image of a sequence of words and/or
  numbers is the water image of each, written in
  the same order.
• The figure should remain the same vertically.
• Question Choose the alternative which closely
  resembles the water-image of the given
  combination.
• Solution
• Option (1) can be eliminated since it is
  laterally inverted
• as well. Again, in (2), L and in (3), E is
  laterally inverted
• as well. Only (4) is the correct water image of
  (X).

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Tip 8 While counting the number of figures,
count smaller ones first followed by larger ones
etc.
Note Remember to count all the figures. For
example, if you are asked to count the no. of
triangles in a figure, count the simplest
triangles, triangles made by 2 simpler
components, those made by 3 simpler components,
etc. until no triangle can be formed any longer.
Question Count the number of triangles and
squares in the given figure. (A) 36 triangles, 7
squares (B) 38 triangles, 9 squares (C) 40
triangles, 7 squares (D) 42 triangles, 9 squares
Solution The figure may be labeled as follows
Triangles Simplest triangles BGM, GHM, HAM,
ABM, GIN, UN, JHN, HGN, IKO, KLO, LJO, JIO,
KDP, DEP, ELP, LKP, BCD and AFE i.e. 18 in
number. Triangles composed of 2 components each
ABG, BGH, GHA, HAB, HGI, GIJ, IJH, JHG, JIK, IKL,
KLJ, LJI, LKD, KDE, DEL and ELK i.e. 16 in number.
Triangles composed of 4 components each BHI,
GJK, ILD, AGJ, HIL and JKE i.e. 6 in
number. Total number of triangles in the figure
18 16 6 40. Squares Squares composed of 2
components each MGNH, NIOJ and OKPL i.e. 3 in
number. Squares composed of 4 components each
BGHA, GIJH, IKLJ and KDEL i.e. 4 in number. Total
number of squares in the figure 3 4
7. Therefore, the answer is (A).
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Tip 9 For problems on Paper Folding, imagine
the process taking place
Tip 9 For problems on Paper Folding, draw
mirror/water images as required for the folded
section and merge with the other section
Question Find out from amongst the four
alternatives as to how the pattern would appear
when the transparent sheet is folded at the
dotted line. Solution (X)
(A) (B)
(C) (D) The mirror image of the
right side of the image is given by (C). Hence,
it is the correct answer. Question Find out
from amongst the four alternatives as to how the
pattern would appear when the transparent sheet
is folded at the dotted line. Solution
(X) (A)
(B) (C) (D) Option
(A) is clearly not the correct answer. Again,
options (2) and (3) may be eliminated since in
fig. (X), the two straight lines on the left side
are vertical, and those on the right are
horizontal. Thus, the answer is (D).
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