Embedded Figures for the Assam Police Constable (AB & UB) Exam
Embedded Figures is a non-verbal reasoning topic of the SLPRB Assam Police Constable (AB & UB) examination in which a simple figure is shown separately and then a complex figure is given, and the candidate must decide which of the given complex figures contains the simple figure hidden within it. The simple figure may be hidden among many lines that cross it and run through it, and its size and position may change, but its shape is not altered. The topic tests the ability to trace a given shape through a tangle of lines and to ignore the extra lines that do not belong to it. This page explains the types of figures that are asked, the tracing method, worked examples, shortcuts and the common traps. The material follows the standard reasoning reference books used for Assam recruitment examinations and is reviewed before it is published.
What the Topic Means
In an embedded-figure question a simple figure, such as a triangle, a square or a letter, is placed inside a larger and more complicated figure and is partly covered by the extra lines of that figure. The candidate must look at the complex figure and find the given simple figure within it, without turning the page or the picture. The simple figure keeps its shape exactly; it is only its surroundings that have changed. The answer is the complex figure in which the simple figure is truly present, and the other options are drawn so that they look similar but do not actually contain the figure.
The Types of Figures That Are Embedded
- A triangle, square or rectangle hidden inside a web of straight lines.
- A circle or an arc hidden inside curved lines.
- A letter of the alphabet hidden in a design.
- A star or a cross hidden in a compound figure.
- A small shape hidden at the meeting point of several lines.
A Step by Step Method
- Look at the simple figure carefully and note its exact shape, size and the number of lines it has.
- Then look at each complex figure and search for that shape in every part of it.
- Trace the outline of the simple figure with your eyes or your finger over the complex figure.
- If the shape cannot be completed without adding a new line, it is not embedded.
- Choose the figure in which the shape is found exactly, and not merely a similar shape.
Worked Examples
Example one: if a triangle is given and a complex figure has a triangle in one corner, then the whole outline of that triangle must be made of lines that are already present. Example two: if the given shape is a square, look for four lines that meet at right angles and close the square, even if other lines run through it. Example three: if the given shape is a letter such as A, the two slanting lines and the cross-bar must all be present in the complex figure. Example four: if a circle is given, it must be formed by a curved line already present and not by joining several straight lines. Example five: a shape may be hidden upside down or sideways, so the candidate must check every orientation.
How This Topic Appears in the Examination
The topic usually appears as two to four objective questions of one mark each. The common forms are to find the option that contains the given figure, to find the option that does not contain the given figure, and to count how many times a small shape appears inside a big figure. Since the options are drawn to look almost the same, the candidate must trace the shape in each option and must not choose by a quick glance.
Shortcuts and Speed Methods
- Fix the shape of the simple figure in mind before looking at the options.
- Check the corners and the meeting points of lines first, because shapes often hide there.
- Search for the shape in all four orientations.
- Mark the lines of the shape with a pencil if the paper allows it.
- Reject an option the moment the shape needs a new line to be completed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a figure that contains a similar but not the same shape.
- Assuming a shape is present because only part of it is visible.
- Adding a line from outside the figure to complete the shape.
- Looking only at the middle and ignoring the corners and edges.
- Deciding from a quick look instead of tracing the outline.
Preparation Plan
- Practise tracing simple shapes inside tangled figures for ten minutes a day.
- Learn to recognise common shapes such as triangles, squares, stars and letters at a glance.
- Check every orientation of the given shape.
- Trace the shape in each option separately before choosing.
- Revise the standard embedded figures once a week.
More Practice Questions
- Find the option that contains a given triangle.
- Find the option that contains a given square.
- Find the option that contains a given letter.
- Count how many triangles are hidden in a complex figure.
- Find the option that does not contain the given circle.
Quick Revision Checklist
- Fix the shape of the simple figure.
- Search every part of the complex figure.
- Trace the outline without adding a line.
- Check all orientations.
- Choose the option that contains the exact shape.
Embedded Figures and Visual Tracing
Embedded figures build the same visual tracing skill that is used in counting of figures, where a shape has to be separated from the lines that surround it. The more a candidate practises, the faster the hidden shape is spotted, because the eye learns to follow a continuous line through a busy drawing. A calm and ordered trace is always surer than a quick guess, and marking the found shape lightly is a great help in a long question.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an embedded figure?
It is a simple figure that is hidden inside a larger and more complicated figure, and the candidate must find it by tracing its outline among the extra lines.
Can the hidden figure be turned?
Yes. The shape may appear upside down or sideways, but its exact form does not change, so every orientation must be checked.
How do I avoid the look-alike options?
Trace the outline of the simple figure in each option and reject any option where the outline needs a line that is not already drawn.
Where do shapes usually hide?
Shapes are often hidden at the corners, at the crossing points of lines and along the edges, so these places should be checked first.
Is embedded figures scoring in Assam Police?
Yes. A patient tracer can find the shape quickly, and the topic needs no calculation and no general knowledge.