Analogy
Key Concepts & Formulas
| # | Concept | Quick Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Word Analogy | Relationship between pairs of words (e.g., Train:Engine :: Car:Engine) |
| 2 | Number Analogy | Mathematical relationship between numbers (e.g., 4:16 :: 5:25 where 4²=16) |
| 3 | Letter Analogy | Alphabetical sequence patterns (e.g., A:D :: B:E where +3 letters) |
| 4 | Classification Analogy | Finding the odd one out based on common relationships |
| 5 | Cause-Effect Analogy | First word causes/is related to second word (Rain:Flood :: Fire:Smoke) |
| 6 | Part-Whole Analogy | First is part of second (Wheel:Train :: Bogie:Train) |
| 7 | Function Analogy | First performs function on second (Driver:Train :: Pilot:Aircraft) |
10 Practice MCQs
Q1. Mumbai:Maharashtra :: Chennai:? A) Kerala B) Tamil Nadu C) Karnataka D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: B) Tamil Nadu
Solution: Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Therefore, the relationship is City:State Capital
Shortcut: Remember major Indian cities and their states
Concept: Analogy - Geography-based word analogy
Q2. 3:9 :: 7:? A) 14 B) 21 C) 49 D) 35
Answer: C) 49
Solution: 3 × 3 = 9 (3 squared) 7 × 7 = 49 (7 squared) The relationship is n:n²
Shortcut: Look for square relationship in number analogy
Concept: Analogy - Number squared relationship
Q3. Platform:Train :: Runway:? A) Bus B) Aircraft C) Ship D) Truck
Answer: B) Aircraft
Solution: Train stops/starts from Platform Aircraft stops/starts from Runway The relationship is Vehicle:Stopping place
Shortcut: Think of where vehicles stop/start
Concept: Analogy - Railway context word analogy
Q4. 121:11 :: 169:? A) 13 B) 14 C) 15 D) 16
Answer: A) 13
Solution: √121 = 11 (square root) √169 = 13 (square root) The relationship is n²:n
Shortcut: Remember perfect squares: 11²=121, 13²=169
Concept: Analogy - Square root relationship
Q5. Rajdhani:Express :: Shatabdi:? A) Passenger B) Superfast C) Mail D) Duronto
Answer: B) Superfast
Solution: Rajdhani is a type of Express train Shatabdi is a type of Superfast train The relationship is Train category:Broader category
Shortcut: Know Indian Railway train classifications
Concept: Analogy - Railway train types
Q6. B:2 :: H:? A) 6 B) 7 C) 8 D) 9
Answer: C) 8
Solution: B is 2nd letter of alphabet H is 8th letter of alphabet The relationship is Letter:Position number
Shortcut: A=1, B=2, C=3… remember basic positions
Concept: Analogy - Letter position analogy
Q7. Driver:Locomotive :: Captain:? A) Ship B) Bus C) Train D) Aircraft
Answer: A) Ship
Solution: Driver controls/operates Locomotive Captain controls/operates Ship The relationship is Operator:Vehicle controlled
Shortcut: Think of who drives/controls what
Concept: Analogy - Operator-vehicle relationship
Q8. 2:8 :: 3:? A) 9 B) 15 C) 27 D) 81
Answer: C) 27
Solution: 2³ = 8 (2 cubed) 3³ = 27 (3 cubed) The relationship is n:n³
Shortcut: Check for cube relationship if square doesn’t work
Concept: Analogy - Cube relationship
Q9. Kolkata Sealdah:Eastern :: Mumbai Central:? A) Central B) Western C) Northern D) Southern
Answer: B) Western
Solution: Kolkata Sealdah station belongs to Eastern Railway Zone Mumbai Central station belongs to Western Railway Zone The relationship is Station:Railway Zone
Shortcut: Know major stations and their railway zones
Concept: Analogy - Railway zones in India
Q10. ACE:BDG :: MOQ:? A) NPR B) NPS C) MPR D) NQR
Answer: A) NPR
Solution: A+1=B, C+2=E, E+1=F (but given D) Actually: A+1=B, C+2=E, E-1=D Pattern: +1, +2, -1 M+1=N, O+2=Q, Q-1=P Therefore: MOQ:NPR
Shortcut: Check letter positions and apply consistent pattern
Concept: Analogy - Complex letter sequence
5 Previous Year Questions
PYQ 1. 5:35 :: 7:? [RRB NTPC 2021 CBT-1]
Answer: 49
Solution: 5 × 7 = 35 7 × 7 = 49 The relationship is n:n×7
Exam Tip: Look for multiplication patterns first in number analogy
PYQ 2. Engine:Train :: Heart:? [RRB Group D 2022]
Answer: Body
Solution: Engine is the power source of Train Heart is the power source of Body The relationship is Power source:Complete system
Exam Tip: Think of essential components that power systems
PYQ 3. Platform number:Train arrival :: Seat number:? [RRB ALP 2018]
Answer: Passenger
Solution: Platform number indicates where Train arrives Seat number indicates where Passenger sits The relationship is Location identifier:Entity
Exam Tip: Look for parallel relationships in railway contexts
PYQ 4. 144:12 :: 1.44:? [RRB JE 2019]
Answer: 1.2
Solution: √144 = 12 √1.44 = 1.2 The relationship is n²:n (with decimal adjustment)
Exam Tip: Don’t ignore decimal relationships in number analogy
PYQ 5. Howrah Rajdhani:Kolkata :: August Kranti:? [RPF SI 2019]
Answer: Mumbai
Solution: Howrah Rajdhani connects to Kolkata August Kranti connects to Mumbai The relationship is Train:Destination city
Exam Tip: Know famous trains and their routes
Speed Tricks & Shortcuts
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Square relationship | Check if second number is perfect square | 4:16 → 4²=16 ✓ |
| Cube relationship | Check if second number is perfect cube | 3:27 → 3³=27 ✓ |
| Letter positions | A=1 to Z=26 memorization | E=5, J=10, O=15 |
| Railway zones | Remember major stations per zone | Mumbai:Western, Chennai:Southern |
| Multiples of 11 | Quick identification for number patterns | 11, 22, 33, 44, 55… |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why Students Make It | Correct Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Ignoring decimal relationships | Focus only on whole numbers | Check for decimal patterns like 1.44:1.2 |
| Reversing the relationship | Reading right to left | Always verify A:B :: C:D means A→B as C→D |
| Counting letters manually | Time-consuming | Memorize A=1, M=13, Z=26 as reference points |
| Missing compound relationships | Looking for single pattern | Check multiple operations: +, ×, ÷ combined |
| Forgetting railway terminology | General knowledge gap | Learn basic railway terms and zones |
Quick Revision Flashcards
| Front (Question/Term) | Back (Answer) |
|---|---|
| Analogy definition | Relationship between two pairs following same pattern |
| n:n² relationship | 2:4, 3:9, 4:16, 5:25 |
| n:n³ relationship | 2:8, 3:27, 4:64, 5:125 |
| Letter A position | 1st letter |
| Letter M position | 13th letter (middle) |
| Indian Railway zones | 18 zones including Western, Central, Eastern |
| Rajdhani Express | Connects Delhi to state capitals |
| Shatabdi Express | Day train connecting major cities |
| √144 | 12 |
| √1.44 | 1.2 |
Topic Connections
Direct Link:
- Series Completion: Both test pattern recognition skills
- Coding-Decoding: Uses similar letter position concepts
- Classification: Analyzing relationships between items
Combined Questions:
- Analogy + General Knowledge (Railway zones, train names)
- Analogy + Mathematics (number operations, squares, cubes)
- Analogy + English (word meanings, synonyms)
Foundation For:
- Advanced reasoning puzzles
- Data interpretation pattern recognition
- Logical deduction questions in higher-level exams
BETA
