What this pattern means
Two attributes (e.g. shape and rotation, or colour and fill) each take three values. The 3×3 grid uses every one of the 9 possible pairs exactly once. The missing cell is the only pair not yet visible.
How to spot it
- Each row is Latin on each attribute independently AND the combined pairs are unique.
- Two attributes vary together — never just one.
- Counting visible pairs reveals exactly one combination unused.
Common visual signals
- Three values per attribute, two attributes, nine visible cells.
- Items often featured in premium Hard / Extremely Hard sets.
- Pair uniqueness is the defining cue — not row-and-column uniqueness alone.
Step-by-step solving tactic
- 1List the nine possible (A, B) pairs.
- 2Cross off every pair that appears in a visible cell.
- 3The one remaining pair is the missing cell's content.
- 4Verify by checking that the row and column constraints are also satisfied.
Common traps
- Confusing Cayley with Latin — Latin uniqueness applies per attribute, Cayley applies to the pair.
- Missing that all nine pairs must be unique — solving on one attribute alone can give a wrong answer.
- Three-attribute Cayley (Latin cube) is a harder cousin — check carefully.
Related patterns
Apply this pattern under timed conditions
Take the free 10-question matrix reasoning practice test — every question carries the cayley table pattern or another commonly tested mechanic.