Nested Shapes Relationship

Nested Shapes Relationship problems present five figures where four have the same nesting order (e.g., square outside, circle inside) and one has the reverse order (circle outside, square inside). You must identify which figure has a different nesting relationship. These problems test understanding of hierarchical spatial relationships and containment.

10Worksheets
200+Practice Questions
HardDifficulty
2-3 hoursHours to Master

Introduction to Nested Shapes Relationship

Nested Shapes Relationship problems present five figures where four have the same nesting order (e.g., square outside, circle inside) and one has the reverse order (circle outside, square inside). You must identify which figure has a different nesting relationship. These problems test understanding of hierarchical spatial relationships and containment.

Prerequisites

Understanding of nesting and containment Shape recognition Spatial hierarchy awareness Relationship inversion detection
Why This Matters: Nested Shapes Relationship appears in 1-2 questions in SSC CGL and Banking PO exams. It tests spatial hierarchy and relationship recognition.

How to Solve Nested Shapes Relationship Problems

1

Step 1: For each figure, identify the outer shape and inner shape

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Step 2: Note the relationship (A contains B) for each figure

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Step 3: Determine which relationship appears most frequently

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Step 4: The figure with the opposite nesting order is the odd one out

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Step 5: Verify that all other figures have the same nesting relationship

Pro Strategy: Always identify the outer boundary first. Then identify the inner shape. Note the direction of containment. The outlier will have the opposite nesting order.

Example Problem

Example: Four figures with square outside, circle inside; one figure with circle outside, square inside. Which is odd? Solution: Step 1: Nesting: square→circle, square→circle, square→circle, square→circle, circle→square Step 2: Most common = square contains circle Step 3: Circle contains square is different Answer: The figure with circle outside, square inside is the odd one out

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Nesting implies containment hierarchy
  • The order matters: A contains B is different from B contains A
  • The outer shape is larger (or encloses the inner shape)
  • Some problems may involve three or more nested shapes

Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster

Outer shape is the one that appears on the outside boundary
Inner shape is completely enclosed by the outer shape
If the nesting order is reversed, it's the outlier

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Only noticing that both shapes are present, missing the order
Confusing size differences with nesting order
Not recognizing that nesting direction is the key property

Exam Importance

Nested Shapes Relationship is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:

SSC CGL
1-2 questions
BANKING PO
1-2 questions
RAILWAYS RRB
1-2 questions
CAT
1-2 questions
GMAT
1-2 questions
INSURANCE
1-2 questions

Ready to Master Nested Shapes Relationship?

Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes:

20 practice questions
Detailed solutions
Step-by-step explanations
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