Spatial Reasoning Math Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
Look at this sequence of shapes: triangle, square, pentagon. How many sides does the next shape have? Draw a rough sketch.

Solution

  1. 1
    Step 1: Count the sides: triangle =3= 3 sides, square =4= 4 sides, pentagon =5= 5 sides.
  2. 2
    Step 2: The pattern increases by 11 side each time: 3,4,5,…3, 4, 5, \ldots
  3. 3
    Step 3: The next shape has 5+1=65 + 1 = 6 sides — a hexagon.

Answer

A hexagon (6 sides).
Spatial reasoning involves recognising patterns in shapes. Here the number of sides increases by one each step, a simple arithmetic sequence. Visualising the shapes mentally helps predict the next one.

About Spatial Reasoning

The cognitive ability to visualize, manipulate, and reason about two- and three-dimensional objects mentally in space.

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More Spatial Reasoning Examples

Example 2 medium

A cube is painted red on all 6 faces and then cut into [formula] smaller equal cubes. How many small

Example 3 easy

If you fold a square piece of paper in half and then in half again (both folds along the middle), ho

Example 4 medium

A rectangular box is [formula] cm long, [formula] cm wide, and [formula] cm tall. What is the length

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