The next figure (indicated by '?') in the sequence is shown below. Three grid panels are given, each a grid with a small arrow in the top-left corner and one dot and one filled triangle placed in different cells; the positions of the dot, the triangle, and the arrow orientation change from panel to panel following a consistent rule. The fourth panel (marked '?') must be chosen from the given options.
Show Hint
Track how far and in which direction the dot and the triangle each move from one panel to the next, then apply that same movement once more.
Step 1: Identify what changes from one panel to the next.
Look at the three given panels in the sequence. In each panel, the grid contains one dot and one filled triangle placed in different cells, and a small arrow sits in the top-left corner of the grid. Moving from the first panel to the second, and from the second to the third, the dot and the triangle each shift position by a fixed number of cells, while the grid and arrow direction follow their own consistent rule.
Step 2: Track the dot and the triangle separately.
Follow the dot through the three panels and note the direction and number of cells it moves each time. Do the same for the triangle. Since the shift from panel 1 to panel 2 matches the shift from panel 2 to panel 3, the same shift must be applied once more to go from panel 3 to the missing fourth panel.
Step 3: Apply the same rule to find the fourth panel.
Continuing the dot's movement and the triangle's movement by the same step used between the earlier panels gives one unique new arrangement of the dot, the triangle, and the grid orientation for the fourth panel.
Step 4: Compare with the options.
Option (A) places the dot and the triangle in exactly the positions predicted by continuing the established movement rule. Options (B), (C), and (D) each break the pattern: in each of them, either the dot and triangle are swapped, or one of the two shapes is placed a cell short or a cell too far along its path, or the grid orientation does not match the rule seen in the first three panels.
Final Answer:
Option (A) is the figure that correctly continues the sequence.
