Which Figure Comes Next in the Sequence?

Explanation

Top Community Explanations We reviewed the explanations shared by the community and selected three solutions that approach the pattern from different perspectives. Each reaches the correct answer, C, using a clear and logical method. 1. u/lemasney: The 8-Port Approach “C: The white square has 8 ‘ports’ that the line travels and connects to in a counter-clockwise fashion. The ports exist at the corners and midline on the square. The line skips two ports and connects at the third. The direction of the line is just to emphasize which port it is connected to. Meanwhile, the inner black square travels clockwise and connects at the corners of the white square. C continues the pattern.” Why we selected this explanation: This is an intuitive way to visualize the pattern. By treating the four corners and four side midpoints as eight possible “ports,” the movement of the line becomes easy to track. The line moves three positions counterclockwise, while the diamond moves clockwise from corner to corner. Continuing both patterns leads directly to C. 2. u/lawni: The Step-by-Step Approach “C should come next. If we assign each corner and each side of the large square a position, the small line moves counter clockwise 3 positions each time. In addition the diamond also rotates through the corners in a clockwise direction. Allowing this pattern to progress, the next one should be line on top side, diamond in bottom left corner, which is C.” Why we selected this explanation: This solution clearly separates the two simultaneous patterns and follows each one step by step. The line moves three positions counterclockwise around eight possible positions, while the diamond advances clockwise through the four corners. Applying both rules places the line at the top and the diamond at the bottom-left, matching C. 3. u/jdub965: The Mathematical Approach “C. Squares rotate 1/4 clockwise each move and lines move 3/8 counterclockwise each move” Why we selected this explanation: This is the most concise mathematical description of the pattern. The diamond moves 1/4 of a full rotation clockwise (90°) with each step, while the line moves 3/8 of a full rotation counterclockwise (135°). Continuing these rotations produces C. Correct Answer: C