Reasoning Analogy

Module 08 — Lesson 0008 · In Depth · 40 min

Analogy is relationship transfer — find the rule that makes A:B true, then demand the same rule (same type, same direction) for C:D. The sentence you write for A:B is the key.

1. The Structure — A : B :: C : D

Analogy structure A is to B as C is to D A Base subject : B Link factor :: C Target : D (?) to find “A is to B as C is to D” — same relationship, same direction
A:B is the rule-maker; C:D must copy its type and order.

: means "is to", :: means "as". Read: "Knife is to cut as pen is to write."

2. Common Relationship Categories — Recognition Bank

Basic Level

Type Example
Synonyms Liberty : Freedom (same meaning)
Antonyms Day : Night (opposite)
Part : Whole Finger : Hand (component of)
Worker : Tool Painter : Canvas (individual : instrument)
Product : Raw Material Candle : Wax (made from)
Animal : Young Cat : Kitten
Instrument : Measurement Clock : Time (tool : what it measures)

Advanced Level

Type Example
Cause : Effect Fire : Burn, Mirror : Reflection
Functional Purpose Bridge : Connect, Firewall : Protect (what it does)
Degree of Intensity Warm : Hot, Whimper : Cry (stronger version)
Category / Classification Water : Liquid, Whale : Mammal (item : class)
Scientific Concepts Entropy : Disorder, Cipher : Encryption
Building Blocks Pixel : Screen, Molecule : Compound (smallest unit → system)

Advanced nuances: abstract vs concrete (Engine:Car is concrete, Progress:Innovation is conceptual), incongruity (Silence:Sound = lack of), symbolism (Happiness:Smile).

3. Step-by-Step Solving Methodology

  1. Determine primary relationship: write a simple sentence for A:B. "A knife is used to cut."
  2. Check directionality (order): if A is Tool and B is Action, then C must be Tool and D must be Action. Tool:Action vs Action:Tool is a wrong answer — direction must match.
  3. Test on second pair: apply the sentence to C and each option for D. "A pen is used to [write]."
  4. Refine if needed: if two options seem to fit, make the relationship more specific. Example: Bird:Fly could be Animal:Movement, but Bird moves through its natural medium (air) as Fish moves through water → Fish:Swim is tighter than Snake:Crawl.
Four-step analogy solving flow 1. Sentence for A:B “Knife is used to cut” 2. Check order Tool:Action? 3. Test on C:D Pen → write? 4. Refine narrow to best Trap: Action:Tool reversed → reject even if words fit
Sentence → direction → test → refine to most specific relationship.

4. Summary of Variables

Symbol Meaning
A (Base subject) Starting point of logic
B (Link factor) Attribute/action/category of A
C (Target) New word to analyze
D (Completion) Word that satisfies same logic

A:B :: C:D — A and B are?

Step 1 of solving is?

Base is Tool:Action (Knife:Cut). Which option order is correct?

Painter:Canvas is?

Warm:Hot is?

Pixel:Screen is?

Bird:Fly could be refined to Fish:Swim because?

Entropy:Disorder is?

Notes

Analogy :- Structure :-

A:B :: C:D ; : ⇒ is to ; :: ⇒ as ; A:B=base (rule), C:D must copy same type+direction

Categories :-

Basic: synonym, antonym, part:whole, worker:tool, product:material, animal:young, instrument:measure

Advanced: cause:effect, functional (bridge:connect), intensity (warm:hot), category (whale:mammal), scientific, building block (pixel:screen)

Solving :-

1) Sentence for A:B ; 2) Check order (Tool:Action must match) ; 3) Test on C:D ; 4) Refine to most specific (natural medium, degree)

Direction trap: Action:Tool reversed → reject

Nuances :-

Abstract vs concrete ; incongruity (silence:sound) ; symbolism (happiness:smile)

Primary source: none pinned yet — drop your preferred video/book resource into RESOURCES.md and it will be linked here. Ask me anything that's unclear.

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