Raven's Progressive Matrices Element Combination and Subtraction Flashcards

In a Raven's matrix, each row's third figure is obtained by keeping only the elements present in BOTH the first and second figures. Figure 1 has a circle and a square; figure 2 has a circle and a triangle. What is figure 3?

Answer: Circle only

Only the circle appears in both figures, so figure 3 contains just the circle.

A 3×3 matrix uses subtraction: each row's third element equals the first element minus the second element's shading. Row 1: filled square − half-filled square = quarter-filled square. Row 2: filled circle − quarter-filled circle = ?

Answer: Three-quarter-filled circle

Subtracting a quarter-fill from a full fill leaves three-quarters filled.

An element-combination rule states: overlay figures and where lines cross, they cancel. Two grids each showing a single diagonal (one top-left to bottom-right, one top-right to bottom-left) are combined. What does the result look like?

Answer: An X pattern with both diagonals

The two diagonals are different lines; they don't cancel each other and both appear in the combination.

In a progressive matrix, the number of sides of the central shape increases by 1 each row (triangle, square, pentagon…). The fill pattern rotates: none, stripes, solid. What shape and fill belongs in the missing cell at row 3, column 2?

Answer: Pentagon with stripes

Row 3 uses pentagons (3 sides + 2), and column 2 always has the striped fill.

Which cognitive ability is most directly assessed by element combination and subtraction tasks in Raven's Progressive Matrices?

Answer: Abstract reasoning and pattern deduction

These tasks measure the capacity to infer and apply abstract rules governing how visual elements change or combine.

A matrix has the rule: combine figures by addition of elements, but any element appearing three or more times across a row is dropped. A row contains: [dot, square] + [dot, triangle] + [?]. The dot appears twice so far. Which answer correctly completes the row?

Answer: Dot, square, and triangle

The dot has appeared twice and does not yet reach the threshold of three, so the third cell retains it along with the new elements from combining the accumulation.

In a subtraction matrix, figure A contains 4 small black circles and figure B contains 2 small black circles placed in identical positions. The result of A minus B contains how many circles?

Answer: 2 circles

The 2 circles in B match 2 circles in A positionally and are subtracted, leaving 2 circles.