Character Puzzles— Concepts, Formulas & Shortcuts
- Test the complete figures first to establish the rule, then apply it to the incomplete one.
- Standard rules: sum of outer values, product, difference, or sum divided by a constant.
- For letter figures, convert to alphabet positions and treat as numbers.
- Check whether the rule runs row-wise, column-wise or diagonally.
- The rule must fit EVERY complete figure, not just the first one.
- If no arithmetic rule fits, look for a positional or alphabetical sequence instead.
Character Puzzles Practice Questions with Answers
Attempt each question first, then open the explanation. All 10 questions below are free to read and require no signup.
Q1.In a triangle the outer numbers are 3, 4 and 5 with 12 at the centre. In a second triangle they are 2, 3 and 4. What is the centre value if the rule is the sum of the outer numbers?
Moderate- A8
- B9
- C10
- D12
Character Puzzles question 1 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. 9
Explanation: The rule from the first triangle is 3 + 4 + 5 = 12, so 2 + 3 + 4 = 9.
Q2.If the rule is the product of the outer numbers, and a figure shows 2, 3 and 4, the centre is:
Easy- A9
- B12
- C18
- D24
Character Puzzles question 2 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D. 24
Explanation: 2 × 3 × 4 = 24.
Q3.A circle shows A, C and E on its rim. Converting to alphabet positions and summing gives:
Moderate- A7
- B9
- C11
- D13
Character Puzzles question 3 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. 9
Explanation: A = 1, C = 3, E = 5, so the sum is 9.
Q4.In a 2 × 2 grid the numbers are 6, 8, 4 and the missing one. If each row sums to 14 and the first row is 6 and 8, the second row containing 4 needs:
Easy- A8
- B10
- C12
- D14
Character Puzzles question 4 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. 10
Explanation: The row must total 14, and 4 is already placed, so the missing value is 14 − 4 = 10.
Q5.If the centre of a figure equals the difference of the two outer numbers, and they are 15 and 9, the centre is:
Easy- A4
- B6
- C9
- D24
Character Puzzles question 5 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. 6
Explanation: The rule is the difference of the outer numbers, so 15 − 9 = 6.
Q6.A figure shows 4 and 6 outside with 24 at the centre; another shows 5 and 7. The centre should be:
Moderate- A12
- B24
- C35
- D42
Character Puzzles question 6 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C. 35
Explanation: The rule is the product: 4 × 6 = 24, so 5 × 7 = 35.
Q7.If the letters B, D and F appear in a figure and the rule is to sum their positions, the value is:
Moderate- A10
- B12
- C14
- D16
Character Puzzles question 7 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. 12
Explanation: B = 2, D = 4, F = 6, giving a sum of 12.
Q8.In character puzzles, the rule you deduce must:
Easy- AFit only the first figure
- BFit every complete figure given
- CBe the most complex possible
- DUse only addition
Character Puzzles question 8 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. Fit every complete figure given
Explanation: A rule that fails any complete figure is the wrong rule, however well it fits one of them.
Q9.A figure shows outer values 9 and 3 with 3 at the centre. If another shows 12 and 4, the centre is:
Moderate- A3
- B4
- C8
- D16
Character Puzzles question 9 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A. 3
Explanation: The rule is division: 9 ÷ 3 = 3, so 12 ÷ 4 = 3.
Q10.If a grid's rule is that each row's third number equals the first minus the second, and a row shows 20 and 8, the third number is:
Easy- A10
- B12
- C14
- D28
Character Puzzles question 10 of 10+Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. 12
Explanation: Applying the stated rule first minus second: 20 − 8 = 12.
Character Puzzles — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the rule in a character puzzle?+
Use the figures that are complete. Try sum, product and difference of the outer values against the centre value. The operation that works for all complete figures is the rule.
What if the figure contains letters instead of numbers?+
Convert each letter to its alphabet position, apply the arithmetic, then convert the result back to a letter.
Cleared the aptitude round? Now grab the role.
Preparation only pays off when you apply. Thousands of internships and fresher jobs across India are live on MyInternships.in right now — free to apply, no consultancy fees.