Question

Identify the option that will replace the question mark. 

• A. A
• B. B
• C. C
• D. D

Hint:

In matrix puzzles, if row-based logic is not immediately obvious, always check the column-based logic. Sometimes, the outer columns follow one clear rule, while the center column is an outlier or follows a different rule. Finding a consistent rule in just two of the three rows/columns is often enough to solve the puzzle.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a 3x3 matrix puzzle. We need to find the logic governing the changes in two elements—a soccer ball and a curved line—across the rows and columns to determine the contents of the final cell.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The most effective method is to analyze the pattern of each element (ball and curve) separately. It's common for such puzzles to have different rules for rows and columns, or for different elements. Let's focus on the column-wise patterns, as they often reveal clearer logic.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the pattern for the ball and the curve in each column. The four corner positions for the ball are Top-Left (TL), Top-Right (TR), Bottom-Left (BL), and Bottom-Right (BR).
Analysis of Column 1:

Ball Position: TL $\rightarrow$ BL $\rightarrow$ BR. This is a consistent 90-degree clockwise rotation around the center of the square.
Curve Orientation: The curve rotates 90 degrees anti-clockwise at each step.
Analysis of Column 3:

Ball Position: TR $\rightarrow$ BR $\rightarrow$ ?. Following the clockwise rotation logic from Column 1, the next position should be TL.
Curve Orientation: The orientation goes from Up-Right to Down-Left. Let's see what happens if we fill in the missing cell with Option D, which has an Up-Right curve. The sequence becomes Up-Right $\rightarrow$ Down-Left $\rightarrow$ Up-Right. This is a logical A $\rightarrow$ B $\rightarrow$ A pattern.
Analysis of Column 2:

This column appears to be an exception or follow a different rule, which is common in 3x3 puzzles where the outer columns follow one rule and the central column follows another.
Conclusion based on Column Logic: The patterns in the outer columns (1 and 3) are consistent. To complete the pattern in Column 3, the ball must be in the Top-Left (TL) position, and the curve should complete a logical sequence.
Step 4: Comparing with Options:


We need a tile with the ball in the Top-Left position.
(A) Ball is in TR.
(B) Ball is in BR.
(C) Ball is in BL.
(D) Ball is in TL.
Only option (D) has the ball in the correct Top-Left position based on the established rotational pattern in the outer columns. The curve in option (D) also creates a logical A-B-A pattern for the curve orientation in that column.