A series of figures is shown below. Study how the pattern changes from one figure to the next, then pick the figure that should replace the question mark.
Show Hint
Count how many horizontal and vertical lines each figure loses compared to the one before it.
Step 1: Count lines in figure 1. The first box has 3 horizontal lines and 4 vertical lines crossing over each other, forming a dense grid.
Step 2: Count lines in figure 2. This box drops to 2 horizontal lines and 3 vertical lines, so each direction has lost exactly one line.
Step 3: Count lines in figure 3. This box drops again to 1 horizontal line and 2 vertical lines, keeping the same one line less pattern.
Step 4: Extend the pattern to figure 4. Since each figure loses one horizontal and one vertical line compared to the one before it, figure 4 must have 0 horizontal lines and 1 vertical line, meaning a single vertical stroke with nothing crossing it.
Step 5: Match against the options. Option 1 is a lone horizontal line, the opposite of what is needed. Option 2 is a small grid with 2 lines each way, still too many lines. Option 3 is a single vertical stroke with zero horizontal lines, matching exactly. Option 4 is a plus sign with one line each way, one too many.
Final Answer: Option 3 alone matches the required 0 horizontal plus 1 vertical figure. \[ \boxed{\text{Option 3, a single vertical line}} \]
