Question

question 8 of 10
which of the following is most likely the next step in the series?
a.

b.

c.

d.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the pattern of dots and lines

First figure: 2 dots (center and on the circle), 1 horizontal line.
Second figure: 3 dots (center, on the circle horizontally, on the circle vertically), 2 lines (horizontal and vertical).
Third figure: 2 dots (center and on the circle horizontally, line is diameter), 1 line (diameter). Wait, maybe the number of dots and lines: Let's check the angles. First line: 0° (horizontal), second: 90° (vertical added), third: 180° (diameter, so horizontal line extended to diameter). Wait, maybe the number of dots: First: 2, second: 3, third: 2? No, wait the third figure has two dots (center and two on the circle, but the line is diameter, so two on the circle, center. So first: center + 1 on circle (horizontal), second: center + 2 on circle (horizontal and vertical), third: center + 2 on circle (horizontal, diameter). Wait, maybe the pattern is the number of lines and dots. Alternatively, the angle of the line. First line: 0° (horizontal, from center to right), second: 0° and 90° (horizontal and vertical), third: 0° (diameter, so from left to right through center). Wait, maybe the next step is adding a vertical line? Wait no, let's check the options. Option D: has three dots? Wait no, option D: center, right, and top? Wait the first figure: center (blue) and right (blue) dot, horizontal line. Second: center, right, bottom (wait no, second figure: center, right, and bottom? Wait no, the second figure: center, right (horizontal), and bottom (vertical down). Third figure: center, left and right (diameter). So the number of dots: first: 2, second: 3, third: 2? No, first: 2 dots (center, right), second: 3 dots (center, right, bottom), third: 2 dots (center, left, right). Wait, maybe the pattern is the number of lines: first 1 line, second 2 lines, third 1 line (diameter is 1 line but connects two dots on the circle). Wait, maybe the next step is 2 lines again, with a vertical line added. Wait option D: center, right, and top? Wait no, let's look at the options. Option D: the figure has center, right (horizontal), and top (vertical up). So first: horizontal (right), second: horizontal (right) and vertical (down), third: horizontal (left-right, diameter), so next should be horizontal (right) and vertical (up), which is option D? Wait no, let's check the number of dots. First: 2 dots (center, right), second: 3 dots (center, right, down), third: 2 dots (center, left, right), so next should be 3 dots (center, right, up), which is option D. Alternatively, the angle of the vertical line: second figure has vertical line down, next should be vertical line up. So option D has a vertical line up and horizontal line right, so three dots (center, right, up). So the pattern is: first: 1 line (horizontal right), 2 dots; second: 2 lines (horizontal right, vertical down), 3 dots; third: 1 line (horizontal left-right, diameter), 2 dots; so next: 2 lines (horizontal right, vertical up), 3 dots, which is option D.

Step2: Match with options

Option D: has center, right (horizontal), and top (vertical up) dots, with two lines (horizontal and vertical up). So that fits the pattern of 2 lines and 3 dots, alternating with 1 line and 2 dots. First: 1 line, 2 dots; second: 2 lines, 3 dots; third: 1 line, 2 dots; fourth: 2 lines, 3 dots (vertical up instead of down). So the next step is option D.

Answer:

D. The figure with a horizontal line to the right, a vertical line up, and three dots (center, right, top)