Analogies

Analogies — Study Notes for Maharashtra Police Bharti

Overview

Analogies test your ability to recognise relationships between pairs of items and apply the same relationship to a new pair. They are considered scoring questions because once you identify the underlying relationship pattern, finding the correct answer becomes straightforward.

This topic covers three distinct formats: word analogies (relationships between words based on meaning, function, or category), number analogies (mathematical relationships between numbers), and figural analogies (visual pattern relationships between shapes or designs). Mastering all three formats is essential because the exam mixes them unpredictably.

The key skill here is pattern recognition — training your mind to quickly spot the "rule" connecting the first pair and then applying that exact rule to find the missing element. Speed matters because you will have limited time per question in the actual exam.

Key Concepts

• Analogy structure: A : B :: C : ? means "A relates to B in the same way that C relates to the answer." Your job is to find the relationship A→B and apply it to C→?.
• Word analogy categories: Common relationships include synonym/antonym pairs, part-whole (wheel : car), worker-tool (carpenter : hammer), product-source (wool : sheep), degree relationships (warm : hot), and category-member (fruit : mango).
• Number analogy patterns: Look for operations like squares, cubes, multiplication, addition of constant, digit manipulation, or position in a series. The same operation applied to both pairs confirms your answer.
• Figural analogy logic: Changes between figures follow rules such as rotation (90°, 180°), reflection (mirror image), addition/removal of elements, shading changes, or size changes. Identify what changes from Figure 1 to Figure 2, then apply the same change to Figure 3.
• Direction of relationship matters: In A : B, the relationship flows from A to B. Don't reverse it accidentally when checking options.
• Multiple valid relationships: Sometimes you see more than one possible connection. Pick the most direct, logical, and commonly tested relationship.
• Elimination strategy: If confused, test each option against the pattern. The one that fits identically wins.

Formulas / Key Facts

Worked Examples

Example 1 — Word Analogy

Question: Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ? (A) School (B) Student (C) Books (D) Education

Solution:

• Step 1: Identify relationship — Doctor works at Hospital (person : workplace)
• Step 2: Apply same relationship — Teacher works at School
• Answer: (A) School

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Example 2 — Number Analogy

Question: 8 : 27 :: 64 : ? (A) 125 (B) 216 (C) 343 (D) 512

Solution:

• Step 1: Check pattern — 8 = 2³, 27 = 3³ (consecutive cubes)
• Step 2: Continue pattern — 64 = 4³, next should be 5³ = 125
• Answer: (A) 125

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Example 3 — Number Analogy (Different Pattern)

Question: 6 : 42 :: 8 : ? (A) 56 (B) 64 (C) 72 (D) 80

Solution:

• Step 1: Find operation — 6 × 7 = 42 (number × next consecutive number)
• Step 2: Apply to 8 — 8 × 9 = 72
• Answer: (C) 72

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Example 4 — Figural Analogy

Question: Figure A shows a triangle with a circle inside. Figure B shows the same triangle rotated 180° with the circle outside. Figure C shows a square with a star inside. What is Figure D?

Solution:

• Step 1: Identify changes A→B — (i) main shape rotated 180°, (ii) inner element moved outside
• Step 2: Apply to C — Square rotated 180° (looks same) with star moved outside
• Answer: Square with star positioned outside

Common Mistakes

• Reversing the relationship: Seeing "Calf : Cow" and thinking young→adult, then wrongly applying adult→young to the second pair. Always maintain the same direction — if first pair is young→adult, answer must also be young→adult.
• Picking superficial similarity: Choosing an answer because it "feels related" without verifying the exact same relationship exists. If the pattern is tool-user, don't pick a tool-material answer.
• Missing mathematical pattern in numbers: Assuming addition when the pattern is multiplication, or missing that both operations (like square then add) are combined. Always verify your formula works for the given pair before applying.
• Ignoring all changes in figural analogies: Noticing rotation but missing that shading also changed. Check every element — shape, position, size, shading, number of parts.
• Rushing through options: Selecting the first "reasonable" answer without checking all options. Sometimes two options seem correct, but only one follows the exact pattern.

Quick Reference

• Analogy format: A : B :: C : ? — find A→B relationship, apply to C
• Common word relationships: synonym, antonym, part-whole, worker-tool, product-source, place-famous item
• Common number patterns: n², n³, n × (n+1), n² ± constant
• Figural changes to check: rotation, reflection, element count, shading, position swap
• Direction rule: relationship flows left to right in both pairs — never reverse mid-problem
• When stuck: test each option by forming the complete analogy and checking if both pairs match identically