Question 1

Select the correct projectile counterpart to complete the analogy: “Bow : Arrow :: Pistol : ?” Pick the item that stands to a pistol as an arrow stands to a bow.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Equipment–projectile analogies pair a launching device with what it launches. A bow launches an arrow; a pistol launches a specific projectile used in firearms. Given Data / Assumptions: Bow → launches arrow. Pistol → launches bullet (via a cartridge that includes bullet, case, powder, primer). The answer should name the projectile, not the device or action. Concept / Approach: Maintain “launcher : projectile” symmetry. For a pistol, the correct projectile term is “bullet.” Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the form of relation: device → projectile.2) Map pistol → bullet.3) Exclude actions or other weapons to keep the relation parallel. Verification / Alternative check: Basic firearms terminology confirms this mapping: rifles/pistols fire bullets; “gun” and “rifle” are devices, not projectiles; “shoot” is an action. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Gun/Rifle: Launchers, not projectiles. Shoot: Verb/action, not a projectile. Magazine: Ammunition feeding component, not the projectile. Common Pitfalls: Confusing components of ammunition with the projectile or picking another device instead of the launched item. Final Answer: Bullet

Question 2

Identify the correct part–whole mapping to complete the analogy: “‘Flower’ is related to ‘Petal’ in the same way as ‘Book’ is related to …” Choose the component that stands to a book as petal stands to a flower.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a part–whole comparison. A petal is one of the constituent parts of a flower. We need the item that corresponds to a book’s constituent units in a similar, discrete sense. Given Data / Assumptions: Petal is a discrete part of a flower. Books are composed of pages bound together. Concept / Approach: Pick the immediate, discrete component analogous to petal → flower. “Pages” are the obvious discrete units that make up a book, matching the granularity of petal–flower. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Determine the required granularity: part → immediate whole.2) Map book → pages (discrete units).3) Select the plural “Pages” to match the idea of many parts forming the whole. Verification / Alternative check: Other components (chapters, cover) exist, but “pages” are the fundamental discrete parts, paralleling petals in a flower. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Content: Abstract substance, not a discrete part. Author: Creator, not a part of the book. Library: Place that houses books, not a component. Cover: A component, but not a repeated unit like petals/pages; less parallel. Common Pitfalls: Confusing creators or locations with components; ensure consistent granularity. Final Answer: Pages

Question 3

Choose the correct dwelling-place analogy to complete the pair: “‘Hare’ is related to ‘Burrow’, in the same way ‘Owl’ is related to …” Select the place most typically associated with an owl’s dwelling or nesting.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Dwelling analogies associate animals with their typical homes. A hare is famously linked with a burrow. We should select the counterpart that commonly denotes where an owl resides or raises young. Given Data / Assumptions: Hare → burrow (underground dwelling). Owls: many species nest in tree hollows, cavities, or constructed nests; some inhabit barns (e.g., barn owl). We seek the general category term most universally applicable. Concept / Approach: “Nest” is the general term for a bird’s dwelling site for eggs/young. Although some owls use barns or cavities, the broad, canonical term across bird species is “nest,” making it the best parallel to “burrow” in generality. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Keep relation type consistent: animal → dwelling.2) Map owl → nest (general avian dwelling term).3) Prefer universal category over a specific human structure. Verification / Alternative check: Bird biology references treat “nest” as the standard term for breeding sites. “Barn” applies strongly to barn owls but is not universal across owl species. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Hole: Too generic; not specifically avian. Hive: For bees; not birds. Barn: Specific to some owls; not general. Tree: Location where a nest may be, but not the dwelling structure itself. Common Pitfalls: Confusing specific locales (barn, tree) with the dwelling structure (nest). Choose the general avian dwelling term. Final Answer: Nest

Question 4

Identify the national-institution analogy to complete the pair: “‘Duma’ is related to ‘Russia’, in the same way as ‘Shora’ is related to …” Choose the country with which “Shora/Shura” is institutionally associated.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Institutional analogies link countries with the native names of their assemblies or councils. “Duma” is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia. “Shora/Shura” is a term used for consultative councils in several Islamic contexts; in South-Central Asia it is prominently associated with Afghanistan’s traditional and political bodies (e.g., local shuras, Loya Jirga). Given Data / Assumptions: Duma → Russia (parliamentary chamber). Shora/Shura → consultative council term used in Afghan governance and local assemblies. We choose the country most strongly tied to the test’s usage. Concept / Approach: While “shura” is also used in Iran and other countries, generalized exam keys commonly pair “Shora” with Afghanistan when contrasting with Russia’s Duma, reflecting regional civics knowledge and frequent GK question patterns. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Confirm “Duma → Russia.”2) Select the country commonly linked with “Shora” in GK items: Afghanistan.3) Maintain symmetry of “country : native council/assembly term.” Verification / Alternative check: Afghan political culture uses “shura” for councils at multiple levels; the “Loya Jirga” is a grand assembly which is often described alongside shuras in civics references. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Malaysia/France/Germany/Iran: The common GK pairing in this analogy set is Afghanistan; while Iran uses “shora/shura,” the exam convention in this pair favors Afghanistan. Common Pitfalls: Overgeneralizing the term’s broader Islamic usage; stick to the pairing most frequently used in general-knowledge analogies. Final Answer: Afghanistan

Question 5

Language–state analogy: “‘Konkani’ is related to ‘Goa’, in the same way as ‘Dogri’ is related to …” Select the Indian state/region most closely associated with Dogri.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Language–region analogies map a language to the state/region with which it is culturally and officially associated. Konkani is associated with Goa. We must select the region similarly associated with Dogri. Given Data / Assumptions: Konkani → Goa (widely recognized association). Dogri → language recognized in India’s Eighth Schedule. Dogri’s cultural heartland is in the northern region encompassing Jammu. Concept / Approach: Dogri is historically and culturally tied to the Jammu region and has official recognition in Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, the parallel mapping is Dogri → Jammu and Kashmir. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Fix relation: language → core state/region association.2) Map Dogri → Jammu and Kashmir.3) Choose the option that reflects the common GK pairing. Verification / Alternative check: Standard GK references associate Dogri with Jammu (J&K). While Dogri speakers also live in adjoining areas (e.g., Himachal), the canonical association remains J&K. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Madhya Pradesh/Odisha/Gujarat: Not the core Dogri region. Himachal Pradesh: Neighboring presence exists, but it is not the principal association in GK analogies. Common Pitfalls: Confusing secondary distribution with primary cultural/official association; select the most recognized linkage. Final Answer: Jammu and Kashmir

Question 6

'Pitch' is related to 'Cricket' in the sense of the standard playing surface; in the same way, identify the sport for which an 'Arena' is the standard competition area and choose the best match.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Analogy questions often compare a sport with its standard playing area. A “pitch” is the specific field used for cricket, so the parallel asks which sport is naturally associated with an “arena.” The goal is to find the tightest, most conventional pairing of sport and venue. Given Data / Assumptions: “Pitch” is the conventional surface for cricket. “Arena” is a common term for an enclosed competition area with tiered seating. Exactly one option should be the best known sport-venue pairing for “arena.” Concept / Approach: Map each sport to its standard surface or venue. Tennis is played on a “court,” badminton on a “court,” and most artistic and rhythmic gymnastics occur on a “floor” or apparatus within a “gymnasium.” By convention, combat sports—wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts—are staged in an “arena,” a large enclosed venue designed for spectators around a central competition area. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the canonical venue for each option.2) “Court” maps to tennis/badminton; “gymnasium” or “floor” maps to gymnastics.3) “Arena” commonly hosts wrestling and similar spectator combat sports.4) Therefore, “Arena : Wrestling” is the best parallel to “Pitch : Cricket.” Verification / Alternative check: Major tournaments in wrestling are marketed as “arena events,” and tickets reference the arena name (e.g., indoor arenas with central mats). Tennis and badminton rarely use “arena” as their defining surface; their defining word is “court.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: Tennis: Standard venue term is “court,” not “arena.” Badminton: Also “court.” Gymnastics: Conducted on a floor/beam/vault inside a gymnasium; “arena” is not the surface label. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the building (an arena can contain many kinds of courts) with the sport’s canonical surface name. The analogy expects the specific pairing, not a generic indoor building. Final Answer: Wrestling

Question 7

Tobacco : Cancer — Choose the option that expresses the same cause–effect relationship as in the given pair.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Many analogies test recognition of cause–effect. “Tobacco : Cancer” captures a well-documented causal risk (tobacco use increases the risk of cancer). We must select the option that mirrors a similarly direct and widely acknowledged cause–effect linkage. Given Data / Assumptions: Tobacco exposure is a known causal risk factor for cancer. The parallel should show an agent or vector causing a specific disease or effect. Only one option forms a clear cause–effect pair, not merely association or part–whole. Concept / Approach: Evaluate each option for causal direction: an agent or vector that typically leads to a particular outcome. Public health knowledge identifies mosquitoes as the vector for malaria transmission, forming a clean cause–effect structure akin to tobacco leading to cancer risk. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify “cause” (tobacco) and “effect” (cancer) in the stem.2) Test each option for the same pattern.3) “Mosquito : Malaria” expresses a vector-disease causal relationship.4) Other options are part–whole or process–product, not cause–effect. Verification / Alternative check: Public health literature consistently treats mosquitoes as the malaria vector; this is a standard textbook analogy comparable to “smoking : lung cancer risk.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: Milk : Food: Category membership (milk is a food), not cause–effect. Bud : Flower: Developmental sequence, not pathology cause. Soil : Erosion: Erosion affects soil; direction and agency do not match the stem’s style. Common Pitfalls: Confusing correlation, sequence, or category with causation. The best answer clearly expresses an etiologic relationship. Final Answer: Mosquito : Malaria

Question 8

'Cyclone' is related to Anti-cyclone' , in the same way as 'Flood' is related to ...

Accepted Answer

The words in each pair represent opposite conditions.

Question 9

'Doctor' is related to 'Patient' as the professional who represents and advises whom? Choose the profession–counterpart pair that best parallels this relationship for a lawyer.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Professional relationship analogies test whether you can map roles consistently. A doctor serves and treats a patient; similarly, a lawyer represents and advises a specific counterpart in legal matters. We must pick the person to whom a lawyer stands in the same service relationship. Given Data / Assumptions: Doctor → Patient is a care-provider to recipient relationship. Lawyer provides legal counsel and advocacy. The parallel should preserve the “service provider → recipient” mapping. Concept / Approach: Translate roles: the one who seeks legal services from a lawyer is the client. Other legal system roles (magistrate, criminal) are not the recipient of the lawyer’s fiduciary duty in general; “customer” is too generic and not the precise legal term. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify how doctor and patient are related (provider → recipient).2) Map the legal equivalent: lawyer → client.3) Select “Client.” Verification / Alternative check: Legal ethics and practice guidelines explicitly reference “lawyer–client” relationships with duties of loyalty and confidentiality, confirming the parallel. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Magistrate: An adjudicator; not the recipient of a lawyer’s services. Criminal: A status for some defendants; lawyers represent clients (who may be civil, criminal, corporate, etc.). Customer: Overly broad commercial term, not the standard legal counterpart. Common Pitfalls: Confusing legal system participants; focus on the direct service relationship analogous to doctor–patient. Final Answer: Client

Question 10

'Bald' is to 'Blond' (contrasting hair conditions) as 'Barren' is to which contrasting land condition? Choose the best antonymic match.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Some analogies rely on contrasts within the same attribute domain. “Bald” (no hair) contrasts with “blond” (a specific hair attribute), indicating a shift from absence to a defined positive state. Similarly, “barren” (unproductive land) should contrast with a land condition denoting productivity and capacity to support growth. Given Data / Assumptions: Barren describes land that does not support vegetation or crops. The expected counterpart is a standard antonym used in agriculture or ecology. We should avoid switching from property to object (e.g., farm, vegetation). Concept / Approach: Maintain the property-to-property relation. The correct antonym for barren in land capability is fertile—land with nutrients and conditions that support plant growth. Terms like farm or vegetation do not mirror the same grammatical relation (they name objects or outcomes, not the contrasting property). Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify barren as a land quality.2) Select the opposite quality: fertile.3) Eliminate nouns that are not qualitative antonyms. Verification / Alternative check: Standard thesaurus and agronomy usage pairs barren ↔ fertile as direct antonyms. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Vegetation: A result or presence, not the opposite property itself. Farm: A place for agriculture; not a land-quality antonym. Inhabited: Refers to human occupation, not soil productivity. Common Pitfalls: Choosing an associated noun instead of the precise opposite adjective that mirrors the relation. Final Answer: Fertile

Question 11

'Atom' is related to 'Molecule' (smaller unit makes a larger unit); in the same way, 'Cell' is related to which larger biological whole? Choose the best structural build-up analogy.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Structural analogies compare smaller building units to the larger entities they compose. Atoms combine to form molecules. Similarly, in biology, the next coherent whole formed from cells (across tissues and organs) is the organism. The task is to keep the scale and direction consistent. Given Data / Assumptions: Atom → Molecule is “basic unit builds a larger, functional whole.” Cell is the fundamental unit of life. We seek the larger biological whole ultimately composed of cells. Concept / Approach: While cells first form tissues and organs, the full build-up culminates in an organism. The analogy does not require the immediate next level; it mirrors the idea of “unit to the complete higher-order entity.” Nucleus is a subcellular part, not larger; matter is overly broad and not the specific biological whole; battery is unrelated. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize the compositional direction.2) Map from cell to the fully formed living system.3) Select “Organism.” Verification / Alternative check: Biology textbooks describe the hierarchy: cell → tissue → organ → system → organism. The final whole is the organism, preserving the analogy’s intent. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Nucleus: Part of a cell, wrong direction. Matter: Overly general; not a biological structural whole. Battery: Not biological. Common Pitfalls: Picking an intermediate level (e.g., tissue). The analogy permits skipping intermediate steps as long as the directional build-up is preserved. Final Answer: Organism

Question 12

Yellow, Blue, Red — These three items share a single precise category in color theory. Identify that category from the options.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Color theory analogies often test whether you can name the category that unifies a set of hues. Yellow, blue, and red—when presented together—are classically taught as the primary colours in traditional pigment mixing models used in art education (RYB model). The task is to select the exact category name that fits all three, not an associated but different grouping. Given Data / Assumptions: Yellow, blue, and red form the canonical triad in the RYB primary model. We are using the common art/painting primary model (not RGB light primaries). Exactly one option names this category precisely. Concept / Approach: Match the list to the standard primary colour set in the intended context. In school-level art instruction, RYB primaries are used for subtractive mixing of pigments; combining them produces a range of secondary colours such as orange, green, and violet. Therefore, “Primary colours” is the correct unifying label. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize the trio as the RYB primaries.2) Eliminate categories that contradict the given set (e.g., “secondary”).3) Select “Primary colours.” Verification / Alternative check: Secondary colours in the RYB model (orange, green, violet) are formed by mixing pairs of these primaries; hence yellow, blue, and red themselves cannot be secondary. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Secondary colours: Formed from primaries; not the given hues. Warm colours: Blue is not warm; this category is misaligned. Paint types: A materials category, not a hue category. Common Pitfalls: Confusing light primaries (RGB) with pigment primaries (RYB). The stem’s trio corresponds to RYB primaries in art contexts. Final Answer: Primary colours

Question 13

25 : 625 :: 35 : ? — Identify the numerical pattern connecting the pairs and compute the missing term.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Number analogies require spotting the transformation from the first to the second number in a pair, then applying the same rule to the next pair. Here, 25 maps to 625. We must infer the simplest consistent rule and use it to determine the image of 35. Given Data / Assumptions: 25 → 625. We must find 35 → ? according to the same rule. The correct answer should be present among the options. Concept / Approach: Two natural hypotheses are: square (n^2) or multiply by a fixed factor. 25^2 = 625 is true, but if the rule were squaring, 35^2 = 1225, which is not in the options. The next simplest rule is multiplying by 25: 25 * 25 = 625; then 35 * 25 = 875, which appears in the options. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Test n^2: 25^2 = 625, 35^2 = 1225 (not listed).2) Test multiplication by 25: 25*25 = 625; apply to 35: 35*25 = 875.3) Match to available options: 875 fits. Verification / Alternative check: Check other options against simple patterns (e.g., +600, +?); none fits both pairs as naturally as *25. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 1575, 1205, 635: Do not result from a single consistent transformation matching 25 → 625 as *25. Common Pitfalls: Locking onto squaring without verifying the second pair against choices. Always cross-check the hypothesized rule with all available options. Final Answer: 875

Question 14

GREAT : 25 :: NUMBER : ? — Identify the rule that maps each word to a number and compute the value for NUMBER.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Word-to-number analogies often encode a simple property of the word such as letter count or a function of it. “GREAT” maps to 25. The most economical hypothesis is 5 letters → 5^2 = 25. We must apply the same rule to “NUMBER.” Given Data / Assumptions: GREAT has 5 letters and maps to 25. NUMBER has 6 letters. Assume the rule depends on letter count squared. Concept / Approach: Test the square-of-length rule: length(GREAT) = 5 → 25; length(NUMBER) = 6 → 36. This rule is consistent, simple, and matches an available option. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Count letters of GREAT: 5.2) Compute 5^2 = 25 (matches given).3) Count letters of NUMBER: 6; compute 6^2 = 36. Verification / Alternative check: Other encodings (sum of alphabet positions, consonant counts) are possible but needlessly complex and unlikely to yield exactly 25 for GREAT without contrivance. The square-of-length rule is the most parsimonious. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 38, 27, 24: Do not arise from squaring letter count for NUMBER (6). Common Pitfalls: Overcomplicating the mapping when a straightforward rule already fits the evidence perfectly. Final Answer: 36

Question 15

Bhopal, Panaji, Gandhinagar — These are all Indian state capitals. From the options, pick the one that also names an Indian state capital.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy-style classification asks you to recognize that the given list comprises Indian state capitals: Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Panaji (Goa), and Gandhinagar (Gujarat). The task is to select another capital from the options provided. Given Data / Assumptions: Bhopal → Madhya Pradesh. Panaji → Goa. Gandhinagar → Gujarat. We must choose an option that is itself a state capital. Concept / Approach: Check each option against current capital lists. Patna is the capital of Bihar. Amritsar is a major city in Punjab (capital: Chandigarh shared; Chandigarh is a Union Territory). Allahabad has been officially renamed Prayagraj and is not a state capital (capital of Uttar Pradesh is Lucknow). Baroda (Vadodara) is a major city in Gujarat; the capital is Gandhinagar. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the pattern “state capitals.”2) Verify each option’s status.3) Select “Patna.” Verification / Alternative check: Contemporary civics references list Patna as Bihar’s capital; the others listed are prominent cities but not state capitals. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Amritsar: Not the state capital; Chandigarh serves Punjab (shared with Haryana). Allahabad (Prayagraj): Not the capital; Lucknow is. Baroda (Vadodara): Not the capital; Gandhinagar is. Common Pitfalls: Assuming the largest or most famous city is the capital. Always confirm the administrative seat. Final Answer: Patna

Question 16

Yuan, Kyat, Lira — Identify the shared category that unifies these terms and select the best match.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: World-knowledge analogies commonly use currencies and capitals. Yuan (China), Kyat (Myanmar), and Lira (historically Italy; currently Turkey uses the Turkish lira) are names of currencies. We must pick an option that is also a currency, preserving the category. Given Data / Assumptions: Yuan, Kyat, Lira are currencies. Only one option is another currency name. Concept / Approach: Confirm each option’s type. Dirham is a currency name used by several countries (e.g., UAE dirham, Moroccan dirham). Turkey is a country, Madrid is a city, and mass is a physical quantity—none of these preserve the currency category. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the category (currency names).2) Choose the option that is also a currency—“Dirham.” Verification / Alternative check: Financial references and country profiles list dirham as a national currency in multiple states, confirming the choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Turkey: A country, not a currency. Madrid: A city (Spain’s capital), not a currency. Mass: A physics term, not monetary. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the Turkish lira (a currency) with Turkey (the country). The analogy demands consistent category membership. Final Answer: Dirham

Question 17

Peacock : India :: Bear : ? — Identify the country commonly symbolized by the second animal to preserve the national-symbol analogy.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Analogy pairs often use national symbols. The peacock is India’s national bird, so the parallel asks for the country associated with the bear as a national emblem or widely recognized symbol. The brown bear has strong traditional association with Russia in heraldry and cultural symbolism. Given Data / Assumptions: Peacock ↔ India is a standard national symbol mapping. Bear is classically associated with Russia. We are selecting common national/cultural symbolism, not strict avian-only emblems. Concept / Approach: Pick the country most commonly represented by a bear in international caricature, heraldry, and symbolism. While multiple countries feature bears in fauna lists, Russia’s symbolic association is the most prominent and conventional for reasoning items. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize the pattern “country ↔ iconic animal.”2) Map bear to Russia based on widely known symbolism.3) Select “Russia.” Verification / Alternative check: International media and historical cartoons have used the bear to symbolize Russia for decades, reinforcing this choice in general-knowledge contexts. Why Other Options Are Wrong: America (USA): Common animal emblems include the bald eagle. England: The heraldic lion is more typical. Australia: Kangaroo/emus are iconic; bear is not primary. Common Pitfalls: Overthinking “official” vs “widely recognized” symbols; the analogy uses the most familiar mapping. Final Answer: Russia

Question 18

63 : 21 :: 27 : ? — Determine the operation applied to the first number to obtain the second, then apply it to find the missing term.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Simple arithmetic analogies often involve a fixed operation. Here, 63 maps to 21, which naturally suggests division by 3. Apply the same operation to 27 to find the missing term. Given Data / Assumptions: 63 → 21. We must find 27 → ? using the same rule. Concept / Approach: If 63/3 = 21, then the operation is “divide by 3.” Apply it consistently: 27/3 = 9. This is the most straightforward, consistent mapping. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Test division by 3 on 63: 63/3 = 21 (fits).2) Apply to 27: 27/3 = 9.3) Choose 9. Verification / Alternative check: Check alternatives (subtract 42; divide by 3 is far more natural and symmetric for both numbers). Why Other Options Are Wrong: 6, 3, 1: Do not result from the same simple rule applied to both pairs. Common Pitfalls: Trying more complex operations when a single consistent division explains both pairs cleanly. Final Answer: 9

Question 19

100 : 121 :: 144 : ? — Recognize the square-number sequence and supply the next mapped value.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This analogy uses consecutive squares. 100 = 10^2 maps to 121 = 11^2. Therefore 144 = 12^2 should map to 169 = 13^2. The task is to identify the consistent square progression across both pairs. Given Data / Assumptions: 10^2 → 11^2. 12^2 → ? We maintain the “next integer squared” rule. Concept / Approach: Apply the same increment to the base before squaring: from 10 to 11; from 12 to 13. Thus, 144 should map to 169. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize 100 and 121 as consecutive squares (10^2, 11^2).2) Recognize 144 as 12^2.3) Map to 13^2 = 169. Verification / Alternative check: Confirm 169 = 13*13. The pattern holds uniformly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 160, 93, 426: Not perfect squares and do not fit the defined pattern. Common Pitfalls: Missing that both pairs are squares and instead trying ad hoc arithmetic differences. Final Answer: 169

Question 20

08 : 66 :: ? : 38 — Decode the rule mapping the two-digit number to the right-side value and find the missing left-side number.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Coded analogies sometimes compress a transformation into a compact mapping. Here, “08” maps to 66. We must infer a simple numeric rule that produces 66 from 8 (ignoring the leading 0) and then reverse-apply it to obtain a left number that would yield 38 on the right. Given Data / Assumptions: 08 → 66. We need x → 38 using the same rule. Leading zeros in two-digit notation may not change the actual magnitude of x. Concept / Approach: A neat fit is: f(n) = n^2 + 2. Test on n = 8: 8^2 + 2 = 64 + 2 = 66 (works). Now solve for n in f(n) = 38: n^2 + 2 = 38 → n^2 = 36 → n = 6 (taking the positive root as per standard digit use). Thus, the missing left-side number is 6 (which could also appear as 06 in two-digit form). Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Hypothesize f(n) = n^2 + k; fit k using 8 → 66.2) 8^2 = 64; 66 - 64 = 2 → k = 2.3) Solve n^2 + 2 = 38 → n^2 = 36 → n = 6. Verification / Alternative check: Other simple rules (e.g., n*8 + something) are less tidy and fail to generalize cleanly. The square-plus-constant rule explains both mappings succinctly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 2, 12, 19: f(2) = 6; f(12) = 146; f(19) = 363; none equals 38. Common Pitfalls: Forgetting that a leading zero may be stylistic and not part of the arithmetic. Focus on the operative digit. Final Answer: 6

Analogy Questions