Question

which figure comes next in the pattern?

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the pattern of purple grids

First, observe the number of columns of purple grids: The first figure has 3 columns, the second has 4 columns, the third (bottom - left) has 3 columns, the fourth (bottom - middle) has 4 columns. So the pattern of columns is 3, 4, 3, 4, and the next should have 3 columns.

Step2: Analyze the pattern of yellow grids

The yellow grids: One at the top - left, one at the bottom - right. Check the position of the bottom - right yellow grid and the top - left yellow grid, they are consistent in position across figures with the same number of columns.

Now, check the options. The bottom - left figure (third figure) has 3 columns of purple grids, and the yellow grid positions match the pattern. Wait, no, let's re - check. Wait, the first figure: 3 columns (vertical) of purple, yellow at top - left and bottom - right. Second: 4 columns, yellow at top - left and bottom - right. Third: 3 columns, yellow at top - left and bottom - right. Fourth: 4 columns, yellow at top - left and bottom - right. So the next (fifth) should have 3 columns. Among the given figures, the bottom - left figure (the one in the bottom - left corner of the four small figures) has 3 columns of purple grids and the correct yellow grid positions. Wait, no, looking at the figures:

First figure (top - left): 3 columns (width 3) of purple, height 5? Wait, no, count the number of squares. First figure: purple grid is 3 columns (horizontal) and 5 rows? Wait, no, let's count the number of columns (horizontal) of purple squares.

Top - left: purple has 3 columns (horizontal), top - middle: 4 columns. Bottom - left: 3 columns, bottom - middle: 4 columns. So the pattern is 3, 4, 3, 4, so next is 3 columns.

Now, check the yellow squares: each figure has one yellow at top - left and one at bottom - right. The bottom - left figure (the one with 3 columns of purple) has the correct yellow positions. Wait, but let's check the options again. Wait, the question is "Which figure comes next in the pattern?". The pattern of columns: 3, 4, 3, 4, so next is 3 columns. The figure with 3 columns of purple is the bottom - left figure (the third figure among the four small ones) or wait, no, the four small figures: top - left (3 cols), top - middle (4 cols), bottom - left (3 cols), bottom - middle (4 cols). So the next should be 3 cols. So the bottom - left figure (the one with 3 columns of purple, yellow at top - left and bottom - right) is the one that follows the pattern.

Answer:

The bottom - left figure (the figure in the bottom - left corner among the four smaller figures)