Rotation Patterns — Reading Figures Like a Clock
Rotation Patterns — figure ko clock ki tarah padho
Rotation Patterns — Reading Figures Like a Clock
- Non-Verbal Figure Series
- Rotation Patterns — Reading Figures Like a Clock
Track rotating elements using clock positions and identify the angle and direction of rotation per step.
🎯 Learning Objective
Track rotating elements using clock positions and identify the angle and direction of rotation per step.
💡 Concept
- Describe every element's place as a clock position: top = 12 o'clock, right = 3, bottom = 6, left = 9
- Each hour gap on the clock face = 30°, so 90° = 3 hour positions, 45° = 1.5 positions, 135° = 4.5 positions
- 90° clockwise from 12 → 3 → 6 → 9 → back to 12; anticlockwise runs 12 → 9 → 6 → 3
- 45° clockwise from 12 goes 12 → 1:30 → 3 → 4:30 → 6, moving one-and-a-half hours each step
- Track ONE element across all frames first; confirm the rule, then check the other elements with it
- Watch for alternating rules too: +90°, +45°, +90°, +45° is a common exam pattern
🧮 Key Formulas
1 hour position = 30°
>
90° = 3 hours, 45° = 1.5 hours, 135° = 4.5 hours
>
Clockwise: 12→3→6→9; Anticlockwise: 12→9→6→3
✏️ Easy Example
Q. An arrow points to 12 in figure 1, to 3 in figure 2, and to 6 in figure 3. Where does it point in figure 4?
- 12 → 3 → 6 means +3 hours each step
- +3 hours = 90° clockwise
- 6 + 3 hours = 9
Answer: 9 o'clock (pointing left)
🇮🇳 Real-Life Example
A table fan's rotating blade photographed every quarter second — each photo shows the blade shifted by the same angle. Figure series are just such snapshots.
📝 Exam-Level Example
Q. A dot sits at 12, then at 1:30, then at 3, then at 4:30 in four frames. Find its position in the fifth frame.
- Each step moves 1.5 hour positions = 45° clockwise
- 4:30 + 1.5 hours = 6
Answer: 6 o'clock (bottom)
📝 Exam-Level Example
Q. An arrow moves 90° clockwise, then 45° clockwise, then 90°, then 45°, starting from 12. Where is it after these four steps?
- 12 + 3h = 3; 3 + 1.5h = 4:30
- 4:30 + 3h = 7:30; 7:30 + 1.5h = 9
Answer: 9 o'clock
🪄 Memory Trick
Convert everything to hour arithmetic: 90° CW = +3, 45° CW = +1.5, anticlockwise = minus. Positions past 12 just wrap around (10 + 3 = 1 o'clock).
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ❌ Mixing up clockwise and anticlockwise — clockwise always runs 12 → 3 → 6 → 9
- ❌ Assuming rotation continues at the same angle when the series actually alternates two angles
- ❌ Tracking the whole figure at once instead of one element at a time
🏆 Exam Tips
- ✅ Write each element's clock position under every frame — the differences reveal the rule mechanically
- ✅ Check the LAST two frames first; the freshest step is what continues into the answer
📌 Summary
- Positions = clock hours; 30° per hour
- 90° = 3 hours, 45° = 1.5 hours; CW adds, ACW subtracts
- Confirm the rule on one element, then verify on the rest
- Alternating-angle rules are a favourite exam twist