Number Connections: Practice Set 2
Number Connections: Practice Set 2 is a second practice round on the bracketed-number format used in 11+ verbal reasoning, where a first pair of numbers with a bracketed value reveals a hidden rule that must then be applied to a second pair. This set moves into rules built from combining two operations, or a calculation that must be tried more than one way before it fits.
Method
- Try the simplest one-step rules on the first pair first: does adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing the two outside numbers give the bracketed number exactly?
- If no one-step rule fits, try a two-step rule that combines two operations, such as adding the two numbers and then multiplying the total, or squaring one number and adjusting it.
- Write the confirmed rule down in words, in the exact order the operations must be carried out.
- Apply the rule to the second pair of numbers in exactly the same order, showing your working rather than doing it in your head.
- Check your calculated answer against the options given.
- If your answer does not match any option, try the rule with the two outside numbers swapped, since some rules depend on which number comes first.
Worked example
6 (20) 4 | 8 (?) 3. A) 11 B) 21 C) 24 D) 27 E) 30.
- Try multiplying the two outside numbers: 6 x 4 = 24, which is close to 20 but not exact, so try adjusting this product.
- Subtracting the second number from the product gives 24 - 4 = 20, which matches the bracketed number exactly.
- Apply the same rule, multiply then subtract the second number, to the second pair: 8 x 3 = 24, then 24 - 3 = 21.
- Final answer: B) 21.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q15 (13) 3 | 4 (?) 6.Show answer
Answer: 14 (rule: double the first number, then add the second; 2x4+6=14)
Q24 (7) 5 | 6 (?) 10.Show answer
Answer: 8 (rule: treble the first number, then subtract the second; 3x6-10=8)
Q38 (6) 4 | 10 (?) 6.Show answer
Answer: 8 (rule: add the two numbers, then halve the total; (10+6)/2=8)
Q44 (9) 7 | 5 (?) 11.Show answer
Answer: 14 (rule: square the first number, then subtract the second; 5^2-11=25-11=14)
Q53 (12) 5 | 4 (?) 6.Show answer
Answer: 20 (rule: multiply the two numbers, then subtract the first; 4x6-4=20)
Q69 (56) 5 | 8 (?) 6.Show answer
Answer: 28 (rule: find the difference and the sum of the two numbers, then multiply them together; (8-6)x(8+6)=2x14=28)
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
6 (32) 4 | 5 (?) 3. A) 18 B) 20 C) 23 D) 25 E) 28.
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9 (18) 3 | 7 (?) 2. A) 5 B) 10 C) 14 D) 45 E) 63.
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8 (36) 4 | 10 (?) 8. A) 27 B) 64 C) 81 D) 100 E) 144.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the number connections: practice set 2 worksheet pack - 9 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 8 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 2, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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