SSC Notes / Reasoning / Chapter 1
Chapter 1 of 18

Analogy

Identifying the hidden relationship between a pair of words, numbers, or letters, and applying it to find the missing match.

📖 ~12 min read 🧩 SSC Reasoning

Introduction

Analogy tests your ability to spot the exact relationship between a pair of items (words, numbers, or letters) and apply that same relationship to a new pair — one of the most frequently asked reasoning topics across every SSC exam.

Diagram — The Analogy Relationship Bridge
A B relation R C ? same relation R

A:B :: C:? — find relation R linking A to B, then apply the same R to C to find the missing term.

Common Types of Analogy Relationships

TypeExample
SynonymHappy : Joyful
AntonymHot : Cold
Part-WholeWheel : Car
Worker-ToolCarpenter : Saw
Cause-EffectFire : Smoke
Object-GroupSheep : Flock
GenderBull : Cow
Numerical (arithmetic relation)4 : 16 (square) → 5 : 25
Alphabet positionB : D (+2 letters) → F : H
Q. Doctor is to Hospital as Teacher is to?
Relation: person works at this place → Doctor works at Hospital
Answer: Teacher works at School
Q. 3 : 27 :: 4 : ?
Relation: n : n³ (3³=27)
4³ = 64
Q. CAT : 24 :: DOG : ? (using alphabet positions)
C=3, A=1, T=20 → sum = 24 ✓
D=4, O=15, G=7 → sum = 4+15+7 = 26

Double Analogy Pattern

Some questions give two analogous pairs and ask you to complete both blanks simultaneously — solve using the same single-pair method, just applied twice.

💡 Exam Tip: Always state the relationship in a full sentence first (e.g., "B is the tool used by A") before searching for the answer among the options — this prevents picking a superficially similar but wrong answer.
✅ Practice Focus: Word relationship categories (synonym, antonym, worker-tool, part-whole) · Numerical analogy (arithmetic operations between number pairs) · Alphabet-position analogy · Double analogy questions.

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