CHSL: General Intelligence & Reasoning — Matrix Questions (2026)

Types of Matrix Problems

Number Matrix: Find the pattern in rows, columns, and diagonals. Common patterns: arithmetic progression, geometric progression, squares, cubes.

Symbol/Letter Matrix: Each row/column contains each symbol/letter exactly once (Latin Square concept).

Missing Number Matrix: Apply row-rule or column-rule consistently.

⚡ Approach: First check row pattern, then column pattern, then diagonal. The first consistent pattern is your answer rule.

Common Rules in Matrices

  • Row/column sums are equal (magic squares)
  • Product of rows/columns equal
  • Fibonacci or recursive patterns
  • Operations across rows (multiply/add/subtract)

Practice MCQs — Matrix Questions

Q1. In a matrix, row sums equal column sums. If row1=[3,5,?], total=12, missing value?

  • A) 4
  • B) 3
  • C) 5
  • D) 6
Answer: A) 4 — 3+5+?=12 → ?=4.

Q2. Matrix: [2,4,6] [?,8,10] [14,16,?]. Find missing values if each row increases by 2?

  • A) 6,18
  • B) 4,18
  • C) 6,20
  • D) 8,18
Answer: B) 4,18 — Row2 starts at 6; row3 ends at 18.

Q3. Number matrix: [1,4] [9,16] [25,?]. Next?

  • A) 30
  • B) 34
  • C) 36
  • D) 38
Answer: C) 36 — Squares: 1,4,9,16,25,36.

Q4. Matrix rows sum to same value. [5,3,2] [?,4,6] [7,?,1]. Row sum=10. Missing?

  • A) 0 and 2
  • B) 1 and 2
  • C) 0 and 3
  • D) 1 and 3
Answer: A) 0 and 2 — Row2:?+4+6=10 →?=0; Row3:7+?+1=10→?=2.

Q5. In a 3×3 matrix each element = row×col. Element at (3,4)?

  • A) 6
  • B) 10
  • C) 12
  • D) 15
Answer: C) 12 — 3×4=12.

Q6. Matrix pattern: [2,6,18] [4,12,36] [6,?,54]. Missing?

  • A) 18
  • B) 24
  • C) 30
  • D) 36
Answer: B) 24 — Each row: ×3. Row3: 6,18,54 → middle=18.

Q7. Symbol matrix: Each row uses △○□ once. Row1=△○□, Row2=○□△, Row3=?

  • A) △□○
  • B) ○△□
  • C) □△○
  • D) □○△
Answer: D) □○△ — Each symbol in each column once → □○△.

Q8. Number series in matrix diagonal: [1,?,9,16]. Missing?

  • A) 2
  • B) 4
  • C) 6
  • D) 8
Answer: B) 4 — 1,4,9,16 = 1²,2²,3²,4² → missing=4.

Q9. Matrix [3,6][12,?] where product of diagonals equal. Missing?

  • A) 18
  • B) 20
  • C) 24
  • D) 30
Answer: C) 24 — 3×?=6×12=72 → ?=24.

Q10. Odd one out row in matrix: [2,4,8] [3,9,27] [4,8,12] [5,25,125]

  • A) Row1
  • B) Row2
  • C) Row3
  • D) Row4
Answer: C) Row3 — Row3 is additive(+4), others are geometric.