Analogy

Analogy means similarity or correspondence between two things. In these questions, the first pair shares a relationship; you must find a second pair with the SAME relationship. Format: A : B :: C : ?

Common relationship types:

• Synonym/Antonym (Big : Large)
• Worker : Tool (Carpenter : Saw)
• Part : Whole (Wheel : Car)
• Cause : Effect (Hard work : Success)
• Object : Function (Pen : Write)
• Animal : Young one (Cow : Calf)

Memory trick: Frame a SENTENCE linking the first pair, e.g. 'A Doctor treats a Patient.' Then apply the SAME sentence to the options: 'A Teacher teaches a ___.' The option that fits perfectly is the answer.

Q: 7 : 56 :: 9 : ?

Step 1: Find the relation between 7 and 56. Try multiplication: 7 x 8 = 56. So the rule could be n x (n+1) = 7 x 8 = 56. Yes!

Step 2: Apply to 9: 9 x (9+1) = 9 x 10 = 90.

Answer: 90.

Tip: Always test common operations in order — multiply, square, cube, add, then combinations like n²+n. Here 7²=49 (no), 7³ too big, so n(n+1) fits. Confirm with the second number before choosing.

Analogy asks you to spot the relationship between the first pair and reproduce the exact same relationship in the second pair. In SSC CHSL Tier-1 you can expect 2–3 questions from analogy (word, number and letter based) and they are among the fastest marks in the whole section — most are solvable in under 20 seconds once you name the link.

The one skill: name the relationship in words

Never eyeball the options first. Read A : B and speak the link aloud — "A is the tool of B", "A is the young one of B". Then apply the same sentence to C : ?. The trap options are the ones that fit a different relationship.

Common relationship types

Type	Example	Link
Worker : Tool	Carpenter : Saw	uses
Animal : Young	Cow : Calf	offspring
Product : Raw material	Cloth : Cotton	made from
Cause : Effect	Study : Knowledge	leads to
Word : Synonym / Antonym	Big : Large / Small	meaning
Country : Currency	Japan : Yen	uses
Instrument : Measures	Barometer : Pressure	measures

Exam Tricks & Tips

• 🎯 Frame a full sentence with the first pair, then plug in the third word — the answer completes the same sentence.
• 🎯 Keep the order/direction identical. If A : B is "big → small", then C : ? must also go big → small, not small → big.
• 🎯 For number analogy, test +, −, ×, ÷, squares, cubes, and "×2+1" type patterns quickly; also check digit-sum relationships.
• 🎯 For letter analogy, convert to position numbers (A=1 … Z=26) and look for a fixed gap or a reverse-alphabet (EJOTY / opposite = 27−n) link.
• 🎯 If two options both "fit", tighten the sentence with a more specific word — the setter always leaves exactly one perfect match.
• ❌ Common mistake: picking the option merely from the same category (e.g. another animal) instead of the one sharing the same relationship.

Expected exam pattern

Formats: "A : B :: C : ?", "Choose the analogous pair", or odd-one style. Mix of word, number and letter pairs. Usually 2–3 marks, near-guaranteed if you name the link first.

Quick recap

Say the relationship in a sentence, preserve its direction, apply it to the third term, and pick the single option that completes the same sentence. For letters use A=1…Z=26; for numbers test the four operations, squares and cubes.

Cover the answer, recall the relationship, then check. 11 cards on SSC CHSL analogy.

Q1. What is the FIRST step in any analogy question?
A1. State the relationship of the given pair in a full sentence, then apply the same sentence to the second pair. Do not look at options first.

Q2. Cow : Calf :: Horse : ?
A2. Foal (the "young one of" relationship).

Q3. In letter analogy, what number values do you assign?
A3. A=1, B=2, … Z=26. Then look for a constant gap or a reverse pattern.

Q4. Reverse-alphabet position of a letter n is given by which formula?
A4. 27 − n (so A↔Z, B↔Y, C↔X, M↔N).

Q5. Carpenter : Wood :: Blacksmith : ?
A5. Iron (worker : material worked on).

Q6. 5 : 26 :: 7 : ? (find the pattern)
A6. 50. Pattern is n² + 1 → 7² + 1 = 50.

Q7. Why is "same category" a trap in analogy?
A7. Because the answer must share the same relationship, not just belong to the same class (e.g. another animal).

Q8. Barometer : Pressure :: Thermometer : ?
A8. Temperature (instrument : quantity it measures).

Q9. AB : ZY :: CD : ?
A9. XW (each letter replaced by its reverse-alphabet partner, 27 − n).

Q10. 3 : 27 :: 5 : ?
A10. 125. Pattern is n³ → 5³ = 125.

Q11. Two options both seem to fit — what do you do?
A11. Refine the relationship sentence to be more specific; exactly one option will still fit perfectly.