Abstract Reasoning [2.1] Analogy pairs Mitsa Tutoring Organization || 2021.

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Analogy Pairs

MEASURE Test your knowledge!

INSTRUCTIONS: Encircle the letter of the word that would be best placed in
each blank.

1. in : out :: ______ : down

a.) outside c.) forward
b.) up d.) under

2. ______ : large:: beautiful : pretty

a.) few c.) light
b.) fast d.) big

3. skin : ______ :: nose : smell

a.) hear c.) touch
b.) head d.) eyes

4. word : sentence :: page : ______

a.) book c.) author
b.) pencil d.) write

INSPIRE Set your goals!

Differentiate the types of analogies

Find solutions to analogy problems

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TEACH Learn with us!

What is an analogy?

An analogy pair, or simply an analogy, is a comparison made between two

different pairs of words or numbers. In each pair, the words have a distinct
relationship with one another. The pairs of words have a relationship too, that
being the common relationship the words have. Analogies are denoted as a : b ::
c: d, where a and b are the first pair of words and c and d are the second. This is
pronounced as “a is to b as c is to d”. A colon is used to separate a pair of
words, while two colons are used to separate the analogy itself.

An example of this would be feather : light :: turtle : slow. The relationship here is
that “light” is what you would describe a feather, while “slow” is what you
describe a turtle.

Another example would be close : open :: happy : sad. “Close” and “open” are
antonyms, and so are ”happy” and “sad”.

What are the types of analogies? How are they different?

As mentioned in the previous lesson, feather : light :: turtle : slow and close :
open :: happy : sad are some examples of analogies. They are written properly
and the words all have something in common with one another. However, these
two analogies have different relationships. To help us understand their
differences, this is where determining the type of analogy comes in.

In the first example, one word was a noun and the other was an adjective. This is
called a characteristic analogy, because one of the words describes the other. In
the second example, both words are antonyms. This is called an antonym
analogy.

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Some examples on the different types of analogies

Synonym - The words in each pair have the same or similar meaning with one
another.
above : over :: cry : weep

Antonym - The words in each pair have the opposite meaning with one
another.
asleep : awake :: false : true

Characteristic - One word describes the other.

giraffe : tall :: lava : hot
A giraffe is a tall animal. Lava is a hot material.

Cause and effect - One word is the cause and the other is the effect
sleepy : yawn :: push : move
When a person is sleepy, they yawn. When an object is pushed, it is
moved.

Object to function - One word describes the usual purpose of the other.
scissors : cut :: legs : walk
Scissors are used to cut things. Legs are used to walk.

Part to whole - One word is a part of the other, which is its whole.
wheel : car :: head : body
A wheel is a part of a car. A head is a part of the body.

Tool and worker - One word is usually being used by the other,
carpenter : hammer:: artist : paintbrush
A carpenter uses a hammer. An artist uses a paintbrush.

Product and worker - One word is usually the product of the other.
baker : bread :: poet : poem
A baker bakes bread. A poet writes poems.

Worker and workplace - One word usually works in the other.

nurse : hospital :: saleslady : shop
A nurse works in the hospital. A saleslady works in the shop.

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What are numerical analogies?

As mentioned, analogies can also be composed of numbers. This is possible for

as long as the pairs of numbers have a distinct relationship too. Some of them
are very easy to distinguish, while others could be complex and take you a while.
Simpler examples of numerical analogies include:

Type of number - One number has the same type as the other. These types
further include anything related to prime or composite numbers, even and
odd numbers, and more.
2 : 3 :: 17 : 19
2 and 3 are the first pair of consecutive prime numbers. 17 and 19 are
another pair of consecutive prime numbers.

Ratio and proportion - One number multiplied by a constant (between the

two pairs) obtains the other.
5 : 40 :: 9 : 72
Simplifying the ratio, 8 would be the constant. Therefore, 5 x 8 is 40 and
9 x 8 is 72.

Exponent - One number raised by a constant (between the two pairs, or

multiplied to itself by a constant) obtains the other.
3 : 27 :: 7 : 343
3 raised to 3 is 27. 7 raised to 3 is 343.

Usage of operations - Using a ceratin series of operations (addition,

subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.) in any way on a number obtains the
other.
55 : 10 :: 38 : 11
5 + 5 is 10. 3 + 8 is 11.

The ones mentioned above are only four of the many possible relationships
numerical analogies could have. While these examples are more or less basic,
numerical analogies can also get way more complex after a combination of
operations and external numbers within the original pair of numbers,
establishing a relationship.

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Difficult examples of numerical analogies

3 : 12 :: 7 : 56

In this example, how do we figure out the relationship of the numbers in each
pair? How do we approach this? Well, let's take a look at how the numbers could
be related to one another.

How is 12 related to 3? We could see 12 as a multiple of 3. That is correct. This

goes the same for the other pair, where 56 is a multiple of 7. To get the
multiplier used in each pair, we divide 12 by 3, then 56 by 7. From this, we
obtain 4 and 8, respectively.

However, why 4 and 8? How are they associated with the analogy? Remember,
the relationships in analogies should be distinct, so we cannot use other outside
factors (in this case, the multipliers) that have no correlation with the analogy
itself.

Looking back at the numbers we have in the analogy, particularly 3 and 7. 4

comes after 3, as 8 comes after 7. It can be that simple. Knowing this, we can
safely establish that the relationship between the numbers is that the second
number of each pair can be obtained by multiplying the first number by the
number itself added by 1.

524 : 11 :: 378 : 18

This next example is a bit more different, yet very simple. The first number has a
hundreds digit while the second doesn't. So, what's the relationship?

With some visualization, we can observe that the second number is actually the
sum of the digits of the first number. If we add 5, 2, and 4, we get 11. If we add
3, 7, and 8, we get 18. While these analogies may seem very complicated, don't
be too overwhelmed by them. Such an example is rather common, so
approaching similar ones via trial and error could be a good start.

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SUMMARIZE Wrap it up!

An analogy pair is a comparison of two pairs that are related to each other. The
relationship between these may vary, as they could be synonyms, characteristics,
ratios, and more. Different words and numbers could be used with each order in
order to form analogies, as long as the relationship of the word pairs is consistent.

Word analogies help us distinguish between words, especially those we aren’t

familiar with. If we know the relationship of the words in one pair, we are able to
imagine what the unfamiliar word could mean based on the other.

Numerical analogies are more complex and conceptual, so finding the

relationships between the number pairs could be challenging. Sometimes, you have
to figure out if they're just two composite numbers next to each other. At other
times, you have to use at least three different operations in a very specific order.

TIP: When it comes to numerical analogies, it's best to first determine the
relationship of the number pairs using the simpler analogy types. As
mentioned earlier, these analogies may contain number types, ratios,
exponents, and the usage of the four operations.

If after further trial none of these seem to work, slowly work your way through
by thinking harder, deeper, and at the same time, more creatively. Think of the
possible ways the numbers could be related to each other. Do you add its
digits? Do you subtract then multiply? Do you add the numbers before and
after it? These are a few of the limitless number of analogy relationships
numerical analogies could have. It is up to you to decide on which is the most
appropriate.

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APPLY Check your learning!

INSTRUCTIONS: Given the type of analogy, fill in the blanks with words or
numbers that would make the analogy correct. Remember, as long as the
analogy relationship stays true, any answer will be accepted!
1. Type of analogy: Cause and effect

read : ____________________ :: rain :: ____________________

2. Type of analogy: Part to whole

branch : ____________________ :: kernel : ____________________

3. Type of analogy: Ratio and proportion

NOTE: Using a fixed constant should only provide one specific answer for both.

4 : ____________________ :: 9 : ____________________

Indicate the constant used: _____________________________________

3. Type of analogy: Mixed operations

CLUE: Look at the digits of the first number. What mathematical operation/s
could you use to obtain the second number?

28 : 16 :: 75 : ____________________

Indicate the operation/s used: _____________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS: Now, it’s your turn to make an analogy. Think of a type of

analogy (word or numerical) that you will use, and create an example for it.

Type of analogy: ____________________________

____________________________ : ____________________________ ::
____________________________ : ____________________________

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ANSWER KEY

Measure:
1. B 3. C

2. D 4. A

Apply:
As mentioned, as long as the analogy you created is right and corresponds
with the instructions, it will be considered correct. Here are some sample
answers to the exercise above:
1. Type of analogy: Cause and effect
tired : sleep :: rain :: flood

2. Type of analogy: Part to whole

branch : tree :: kernel : corn

3. Type of analogy: Ratio and proportion

4 : 28 :: 9 : 63

Indicate the constant used: 7

3. Type of analogy: Mixed operations
28 : 16 :: 75 : 35

Indicate the operation/s used: multiplication (of the digits)

Type of analogy: antonym
love : hate :: start : finish

REFERENCES
Analogy. (n.d.). Literary Devices. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
https://literarydevices.net/analogy/
Number Analogy. (n.d.). Learn Frenzy. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
https://learnfrenzy.com/reasoning/verbal-reasoning/analogy/number-analogy/
15 Types of Analogies in the English Language. (n.d.). Penlighten. Retrieved April 29,
2021. https://penlighten.com/types-of-analogies-in-english-language

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