Identify the figure that is odd in the group?

Appeared in: Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Explanation

The circle is the only option that is a curvilinear figure, meaning it is formed by a continuous curved line.
Unlike the other shapes, a circle has no straight sides and no vertices (corners).
The other three shapes—square, triangle, and rectangle—are all polygons, which are defined by having straight sides and vertices.

Option A: A square is a polygon with four straight sides and four vertices. This shares common properties with a triangle and a rectangle, making it part of the main group.
Option B: A triangle is a polygon with three straight sides and three vertices. It belongs to the group of polygons along with the square and rectangle.
Option C: A rectangle is a polygon with four straight sides and four vertices. It shares the core properties of being a polygon with the square and triangle.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning: Odd One Out as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a general reasoning question, the underlying skill of pattern recognition and identifying anomalies is crucial in nursing.
Nurses must constantly assess patient data (vital signs, lab results, symptoms) to spot trends and identify outliers that may indicate a change in condition.
For example, a nurse might notice that three vital signs are stable, but one (the 'odd one out') is deteriorating, prompting immediate investigation.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question. The goal is to find the 'odd one out' from the given group of figures.
Examine each option: Square, Triangle, Rectangle, and Circle. Think about the fundamental properties of each shape.
Look for a common characteristic shared by most of the options. In this case, notice that a square, triangle, and rectangle are all made of straight line segments.
Identify the option that does not share this common characteristic. The circle is made of a curved line, not straight segments.
Confirm the distinction. Squares, triangles, and rectangles are all polygons (closed figures with straight sides), while a circle is a curvilinear figure. This confirms the circle is the odd one out.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.