Raven's Progressive Matrices Distribution and Frequency Rules Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a 3x3 matrix, each cell contains one of three shapes (circle, square, triangle) and has one of three shading patterns (solid, striped, hollow). The matrix follows two distribution rules: each row and column must contain one of each shape, AND each row and column must contain one of each shading pattern. Given the top-left cell is a solid circle and the center cell is a striped square, what must the bottom-right cell be to complete the matrix?
- A hollow triangle (Correct answer)
- A solid triangle
- A hollow circle
- A striped square
Correct answer: A hollow triangle
This problem involves two simultaneous distribution rules. For the shapes, each row and column needs one circle, one square, and one triangle. For the shading, each row and column needs one solid, one striped, and one hollow pattern. By analyzing the row and column of the missing cell, you can determine that both a triangle and a hollow pattern are required to satisfy both rules.
Question 2: A 3x3 matrix is governed by a frequency rule concerning the number of dots within the shapes in its cells. The rule states that each row and each column must contain a total of six dots. The first row contains cells with 1 dot and 2 dots. The first two cells of the third column contain 3 dots and 1 dot. Which of the following values must be in the missing cell (row 1, column 3)?
- A shape with 1 dot
- A shape with 2 dots
- A shape with 3 dots (Correct answer)
- A shape with 4 dots
Correct answer: A shape with 3 dots
The rule is based on the frequency (total count) of dots in each row and column, which must sum to six. For the first row, we have cells with 1 dot and 2 dots, so 1 + 2 + x = 6. This means x must be 3. To verify with the column, the third column has cells with 3 dots and 1 dot, and the missing cell is the third one in that column. So, 3 + 1 + y = 6, meaning y must be 2. Since the question asks for the cell at row 1, column 3, the row calculation (x=3) is the primary one to solve. The missing cell must contain 3 dots.
Question 3: Which of the following scenarios best describes a 'distribution of three values' rule as it applies to Raven's Progressive Matrices?
- The figure rotates 90 degrees in each step across a row.
- Each row must contain exactly one circle, one square, and one triangle. (Correct answer)
- The third figure in a row is created by combining the first two figures.
- The number of elements increases by one in each cell down a column.
Correct answer: Each row must contain exactly one circle, one square, and one triangle.
The 'distribution of three values' rule specifically refers to patterns where three distinct types of an attribute (like shape, color, or texture) are distributed such that each type appears exactly once in every row and/or column. The other options describe rotation, construction/superposition, and progression, which are different categories of rules.
Question 4: Consider a 3x3 matrix where each cell contains a square with a single line segment inside. The rule is one of distribution based on line orientation. Each row and each column must contain one vertical line, one horizontal line, and one diagonal line. If the first two cells in the bottom row contain a vertical line and a diagonal line, what must the figure in the bottom-right cell contain?
- A vertical line
- A diagonal line
- A circle
- A horizontal line (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A horizontal line
This problem uses a distribution rule for the attribute of 'orientation'. The bottom row already has a vertical and a diagonal line. To satisfy the rule that each row must have one of each of the three orientations, the final cell in that row must contain the missing orientation, which is a horizontal line.
Question 5: You are analyzing a 3x3 matrix where each cell contains between one and three shapes. After observing the completed rows and columns, you determine that the primary principle is a frequency rule. Which of the following observations would lead to this conclusion?
- The total number of shapes is the same in every row and every column. (Correct answer)
- The shapes from the first two columns are overlaid to create the third column.
- The shapes in each row are identical but rotate 90 degrees clockwise.
- The shapes change from circle to square to triangle down each column.
Correct answer: The total number of shapes is the same in every row and every column.
A frequency rule is concerned with the quantity of elements. If the total count of shapes is consistent across all rows and also consistent across all columns, this indicates a rule based on frequency or number. The other options describe superposition, rotation, and progression of form, respectively.
Question 6: In a 3x3 matrix, the cells contain geometric shapes. The rule states that each row and each column must contain exactly two black shapes and one white shape. In the third row, the first cell contains a black shape. In the third column, the first two cells contain a black shape and a white shape. What must be the color of the shape in the cell at row 3, column 3?
- A shape with straight edges
- A shape with 4 sides
- A shape with curved edges (Correct answer)
- A shape with no edges
Correct answer: A shape with curved edges
The problem operates on a frequency rule based on a feature (edge type). The rule is that each column must have two shapes with straight edges and one with curved edges. Column 1 is mentioned to contain a square and a triangle (both have straight edges). To complete the set of three according to the rule, the third, missing shape must be one with curved edges.
