11-Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning: Overlapping Shapes

Understanding Overlapping Shapes

In the realm of 11-plus Non-Verbal Reasoning, the concept of overlapping shapes is crucial for developing spatial awareness and visual problem-solving skills. This topic involves predicting the result when two or more shapes are combined or overlapped.

Visualizing Overlaps

Students must learn to visualize which areas would be covered by both shapes, which would be covered by only one, and what the final combined image would look like. This skill is essential for answering questions that may involve transparent overlays or solid shapes.

Types of Questions

Questions on overlapping shapes can vary widely. They may ask students to:

• Identify the area where two shapes overlap.
• Determine the shape formed by the overlap.
• Predict the color or pattern of the overlapping area if the shapes are colored differently.

Example Problem

Worked Example

Problem: If a blue circle and a red square overlap, what color will the overlapping area be?

Solution:

• Visualize the blue circle and red square overlapping.
• The overlapping area will typically be a blend of the two colors, depending on the transparency of the shapes.
• If both shapes are solid, the overlapping area may be represented as a different color or pattern in the question.

Practice Makes Perfect

To excel in this area, students should practice regularly with various overlapping shapes questions. This will help them become more proficient in visualizing and predicting outcomes, which is a key component of non-verbal reasoning.

For further practice, students can refer to resources specifically designed for 11-plus preparation, focusing on non-verbal reasoning exercises.