Non Verbal Reasoning – Figure matrix – Concept of 2 2 matrix and 3 3 matrix.
Contents
- 0.1 Non-Verbal Reasoning – Figure Matrix (2×2 & 3×3 Matrix Concept)
 - 0.2 1. What is a Figure Matrix?
 - 0.3 2. Types of Figure Matrices
 - 0.4 (A) 2×2 Figure Matrix
 - 0.5 (B) 3×3 Figure Matrix
 - 0.6 3. Common Patterns in Figure Matrices
 - 0.7 4. Solving Strategy for Figure Matrix Problems
 - 0.8 5. Example Questions & Solutions
 - 0.9 Example 1: 2×2 Figure Matrix
 - 0.10 Example 2: 3×3 Figure Matrix
 - 0.11 Final Tips for Competitive Exams
 - 0.12 Non Verbal Reasoning – Figure matrix – Concept of 2 2 matrix and 3 3 matrix.
 - 1  Non-Verbal Reasoning: Figure Matrix (2×2 and 3×3 Matrix)
- 1.1 1. What is a Figure Matrix?
 - 1.2 2×2 Matrix – Concept and Example
 - 1.3 Example (2×2 Matrix)
 - 1.4 3×3 Matrix – Concept and Example
 - 1.5 Example (3×3 Matrix)
 - 1.6 Common Patterns in Figure Matrices
 - 1.7 Tips to Solve Quickly
 - 1.8 Practice Sources
 - 1.9 Non Verbal Reasoning – Figure matrix – Concept of 2 2 matrix and 3 3 matrix.
 
 
Non-Verbal Reasoning – Figure Matrix (2×2 & 3×3 Matrix Concept)
Figure Matrix is an important topic in Non-Verbal Reasoning commonly found in SSC, UPSC, GATE, Banking, and other competitive exams.
1. What is a Figure Matrix?
A figure matrix is a set of images arranged in a 2×2 or 3×3 grid where you must find the missing figure by identifying a pattern.
- The rows and columns follow a specific rule (rotation, size change, mirror image, number of elements, etc.).
 - The missing figure must complete the logical pattern.
 
2. Types of Figure Matrices
(A) 2×2 Figure Matrix
Example:
[ A → B ]
[ C → ? ]
 The pattern follows A is related to B in the same way C is related to the missing figure.
 Identify the logic (e.g., rotation, reflection, shape change, shading, etc.).
(B) 3×3 Figure Matrix
Example:
[ A  B  C ]
[ D  E  F ]
[ G  H  ? ]
 Here, each row and column follows a specific transformation rule.
 The missing figure (?) should follow the same pattern as others.
3. Common Patterns in Figure Matrices
Rotation: Figures rotate by 90°, 180°, or 270°.
Reflection: Mirror image or water reflection is used.
Size Change: The shape may increase or decrease in size.
Addition/Removal of Elements: New elements are added or removed.
Shading Pattern: Figures may get shaded in a systematic way.
Mathematical Shape Patterns: Each shape follows an arithmetic rule.
4. Solving Strategy for Figure Matrix Problems
Step 1: Look at the given figures and identify patterns.
Step 2: Compare row-wise and column-wise to find relationships.
Step 3: Check for rotation, reflection, symmetry, or transformation.
Step 4: Apply the same pattern to find the missing figure.
5. Example Questions & Solutions
Example 1: 2×2 Figure Matrix
[ 
  → 
  ]
[ 
  → ?  ]
Solution: The triangle flips upside-down (
Example 2: 3×3 Figure Matrix
[ 
   
   
  ]
[ 
   
   
  ]
[ 
   ?  
  ]
Solution: The pattern alternates between white (
Final Tips for Competitive Exams
Practice different patterns – Solve at least 50 figure matrix questions before your exam.
Identify transformation types – Rotation, reflection, shading, etc.
Eliminate incorrect options – Use logic to remove wrong choices.
Practice with previous year questions – SSC, UPSC, and Bank exams often repeat question styles.
Would you like practice questions or step-by-step explanations for tricky problems?
Non Verbal Reasoning – Figure matrix – Concept of 2 2 matrix and 3 3 matrix.
Here’s a clear explanation of Non-Verbal Reasoning – Figure Matrix, especially focusing on 2×2 and 3×3 matrices:

  Non-Verbal Reasoning: Figure Matrix (2×2 and 3×3 Matrix)
Figure matrices are reasoning puzzles where figures are arranged in a matrix/grid. You need to identify the pattern or logic that governs the rows or columns and find the missing figure.

  1. What is a Figure Matrix?
A Figure Matrix is a visual arrangement of figures (shapes/patterns) in the form of a 2×2 or 3×3 grid where one figure is missing.
Your task is to identify the missing figure based on the relationship between rows and columns — similar to how numbers behave in arithmetic matrices.

  2×2 Matrix – Concept and Example

  Structure:
| A | B |
| C | ? |
Here, A is related to B in the same way that C is related to the missing figure (?).

  Common Patterns:
- 
Rotation: Shapes rotate from one to the next.
 - 
Number of Sides: A triangle becomes a square → increase in sides.
 - 
Shading/Fill: A black shape becomes white → alternating patterns.
 - 
Addition/Subtraction of elements or lines.
 

  Example (2×2 Matrix)
| ● | ▲ |
| ■ | ? |
Logic:
Top row: Circle → Triangle (0 sides → 3 sides)
Bottom row: Square → ? (4 sides → likely 5 sides → Pentagon)
Answer: Pentagon

  3×3 Matrix – Concept and Example

  Structure:
| A | B | C |
| D | E | F |
| G | H | ? |
In a 3×3 matrix, the pattern may follow:
- 
Row-wise logic: A → B → C, D → E → F, etc.
 - 
Column-wise logic: A → D → G, B → E → H, etc.
 
You may also find logic diagonally, or with progressive rotation, mirroring, shape count, etc.

  Example (3×3 Matrix)
Let’s say the matrix has a pattern where:
- 
Each row has figures that are rotated versions of the same base shape.
 - 
Row 1: Rotates 90°, 180°, 270°
 - 
Row 2: Mirror reflections
 - 
Row 3: Apply same logic — find the third figure.
 
Strategy: Find consistent transformations across each row or column.

  Common Patterns in Figure Matrices
| Pattern Type | Description | 
|---|---|
| Rotation | Each figure rotates by a fixed angle | 
| Flipping/Mirroring | Shapes are mirrored horizontally or vertically | 
| Shape Addition | New elements are added step-by-step | 
| Shape Subtraction | Elements are removed across the matrix | 
| Shading/Color | Alternating shaded/white patterns | 
| Counting Elements | Dots, lines, corners increase or decrease | 

  Tips to Solve Quickly
- 
Analyze rows & columns separately
 - 
Count shapes, sides, lines, dots
 - 
Check for rotation or reflection
 - 
Look for symmetry or consistent operations
 - 
Don’t overcomplicate – patterns are visual and logical, not mathematical
 

  Practice Sources
- 
R.S. Aggarwal – Non-Verbal Reasoning (Chapters: Figure Matrix)
 - 
Arihant’s “Non-Verbal Reasoning”
 - 
SSC, Bank PO, Railways, NDA, CDS, and other aptitude practice books
 
Would you like:
- 
 Practice worksheets with answers? - 
 Visual examples and explanations? - 
 Daily figure matrix puzzles for practice? 
Let me know how you’d like to continue learning!