Analogy
What you'll learn
- Identify the relationship between a given pair of words or numbers
- Classify analogies as synonym, antonym, part-whole, or function type
- Solve number analogies using arithmetic operations
- Complete analogy pairs using the identified pattern
Key concepts
What is an Analogy?
An analogy is a relationship between two pairs where the second pair mirrors the same relationship as the first.
Format: A : B :: C : ?
Read as: "A is to B as C is to ?"
Your task: find the same relationship and apply it to C.
Type 1 — Synonym Analogies
Both words in each pair have the same meaning.
| Pair 1 | Pair 2 | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Happy : Joyful | Sad : Sorrowful | Same meaning |
| Brave : Courageous | Weak : Feeble | Same meaning |
| Quick : Fast | Slow : Sluggish | Same meaning |
Tip: If A and B mean the same thing, then C and the answer must also mean the same thing. Think of a synonym for C.
Type 2 — Antonym Analogies
The two words in each pair are opposites.
| Pair 1 | Pair 2 | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Hot : Cold | Light : Dark | Opposites |
| Ancient : Modern | Question : Answer | Opposites |
| Victory : Defeat | Praise : Criticism | Opposites |
Worked Example:
Day : Night :: Summer : ?
- Day and Night are opposites → find the opposite of Summer → Winter
Type 3 — Part-Whole Analogies
One word is a part of the other.
| Part | Whole | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | Book | Chapter : Book :: Page : ? → Book |
| Petal | Flower | Petal : Flower :: Leaf : ? → Tree |
| Spoke | Wheel | Spoke : Wheel :: Rung : ? → Ladder |
Worked Example:
Finger : Hand :: Toe : ?
- A finger is a part of a hand → a toe is a part of a Foot
Type 4 — Function Analogies
One word describes what the other is used for.
| Item | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pen | Write | Pen : Write :: Knife : ? → Cut |
| Telescope | See far | Stethoscope : Heartbeat :: Thermometer : ? → Temperature |
| Broom | Sweep | Needle : Sew :: Scissors : ? → Cut |
Tip: Ask yourself "What does A do?" then apply the same logic to C.
Number Analogies
Number pairs follow arithmetic or pattern-based rules.
Common patterns:
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Add a fixed number | 3 : 8 :: 7 : 12 (+5 each time) |
| Multiply | 4 : 16 :: 5 : 25 (squared) |
| Subtract | 20 : 14 :: 30 : 24 (−6 each time) |
| Double | 3 : 6 :: 9 : 18 (×2) |
Worked Example:
6 : 36 :: 8 : ?
- 6 × 6 = 36 → 8 × 8 = 64
Worked Example 2:
5 : 13 :: 9 : ?
- 5 × 2 + 3 = 13 → 9 × 2 + 3 = 21
Strategy for Solving Analogies
- Look at the first pair (A : B) and state the relationship aloud.
- Apply the exact same relationship to C.
- If two options seem correct, go back to step 1 and be more specific about the relationship.
Common mistake: Choosing an answer that is related to C but does not mirror the A:B relationship. Always check the relationship first.
Quick check
- Book : Author :: Painting : ?
- Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?
- 7 : 49 :: 5 : ?
- Hot : Cold :: Hard : ?
- Wheel : Bicycle :: Propeller : ?
Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Analogy.
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