Raven's Progressive Matrices Test Raven's Progressive Matrices Element Combination and Subtraction 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A matrix presents three rows where elements are combined using a 'difference' rule: the third column shows only features present in column 1 but absent from column 2. Column 1 has {stripes, border, dot}; column 2 has {border, shading}. What does column 3 show?
- Stripes and dot (Correct answer)
- Border only
- Stripes, border, and dot
- Shading and dot
Correct answer: Stripes and dot
Border appears in both columns (excluded); stripes and dot appear only in column 1 and are retained.
Question 2: In a Raven's element-combination problem, each figure is treated as a set of line segments. Figure 1 has 5 segments; figure 2 has 3 segments, all of which overlap with segments in figure 1. Using a subtraction rule, how many segments does the result have?
- 2 segments (Correct answer)
- 8 segments
- 3 segments
- 5 segments
Correct answer: 2 segments
All 3 segments of figure 2 overlap with figure 1 and are subtracted, leaving 5 − 3 = 2 segments.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes why element combination and subtraction tasks measure 'eductive ability' as defined by Spearman?
- They require inferring new meaning or relationships from given information without verbal cues (Correct answer)
- They test how fast someone can recall memorized patterns
- They assess learned mathematical operations
- They measure fine motor coordination
Correct answer: They require inferring new meaning or relationships from given information without verbal cues
Eductive ability is the capacity to make meaning from complexity and confusion, which these visual rule-inference tasks directly demand.
Question 4: A 3×3 matrix uses a layered subtraction rule across columns: column 3 = column 1 minus column 2. In row 2: column 1 is a hexagon with 6 internal triangles; column 2 is a hexagon with 4 internal triangles (in the same positions as 4 of the 6 in column 1). What does column 3 show?
- A hexagon with 2 internal triangles (Correct answer)
- A hexagon with 10 internal triangles
- An empty hexagon
- A hexagon with 4 internal triangles
Correct answer: A hexagon with 2 internal triangles
The 4 matching triangles are subtracted, leaving the 2 triangles unique to column 1.
Question 5: In a Raven's matrix, the combination rule produces the result by overlaying two grids: cells that are black in BOTH grids become white, and all other cells remain as they are. This rule is equivalent to which logical operation?
- XNOR (equivalence) applied to black cells (Correct answer)
- AND applied to black cells
- OR applied to black cells
- NOT applied to all cells
Correct answer: XNOR (equivalence) applied to black cells
Black-in-both becomes white (toggled), matching XNOR where two identical inputs produce a different output; this is effectively an XOR on the black cells' presence.
Question 6: A student notices that in a Raven's matrix, the number of elements increases down each column and decreases across each row. In cell (row 3, col 3), the row predicts 1 element and the column predicts 5 elements. How should the student reconcile this?
- Look for a single rule that satisfies both constraints simultaneously, such as the intersection of row and column counts (Correct answer)
- Use only the row rule and ignore the column
- Use only the column rule and ignore the row
- Average the two predictions to get 3 elements
Correct answer: Look for a single rule that satisfies both constraints simultaneously, such as the intersection of row and column counts
In well-formed Raven's matrices, one consistent rule governs all rows and columns; the student must find the unifying rule rather than treating them independently.
Question 7: A combination matrix shows: row 1 combines a cross and a circle to produce a circle with a cross inside; row 2 combines a cross and a square to produce a square with a cross inside. Row 3 combines a cross and a triangle. What does row 3 produce?
- A triangle with a cross inside (Correct answer)
- A cross only
- A circle with a triangle inside
- A triangle and cross side by side
Correct answer: A triangle with a cross inside
The consistent rule overlays the cross inside the second shape, so a triangle with a cross inside is produced.
Raven's Progressive Matrices Test Raven's Progressive Matrices Element Combination and Subtraction 5
A matrix presents three rows where elements are combined using a 'difference' rule: the third column shows only features present in column 1 but absent from column 2.
Column 1 has {stripes, border, dot}; column 2 has {border, shading}.
What does column 3 show?