# IQ question - Spades and Clubs inside of boxes

This is a question from https://international-iq-test.com/

Here is my attempt at a solution, though it's too convoluted so it's probably wrong:

• Welcome to Puzzling! Questions from other sources must be properly attributed (with a link to the source, if possible). – Deusovi Jan 6 at 13:38
• Also, I think this question is poorly specified (which is the fault of the test creators, not your own fault). The most natural pattern to me is "Each row has the same number of spades in all cells. There are 4 clubs in each row and column." which would lead to the missing box being ♣♣♠♠ - but that's not one of the options. – Deusovi Jan 6 at 13:40
• Also the locations of clubs and spades seem almost random. Is that intentional or a drawing issue? – DrD Jan 6 at 13:42
• The locations threw me off too; I assumed it was designed to confuse rather than embed any association with the pattern – Tsdev Jan 6 at 13:43
• @Deusovi - I think you're onto something. What if the pattern is a total of 4 spades and 4 clubs across all rows and columns? Then E is correct – Tsdev Jan 6 at 13:55

My answer is the card e.

Every row and column has 4 clubs and 4 spade. By adding the card with 2 clubs, we complete the grid.

Letter e).

Because in each row or column, the following rule is followed:

When a symbol appears more than once in any box, the numbers of that symbol in the first and second boxes are subtracted. In the first row, 2 clubs minus 1 club = 1 club (because in this row, club IS repeated). Next row, same thing: clubs repeated and their numbers subtracted.

When a symbol appears only once, the numbers of that symbol in the first and second boxes are added. In the first and second rows, spades appear only once in each box, so it's addition: 1 spade +1 spade = 2 spades.

This same rule works in each row and each column, so:

look at the last row. Spade appears repeated, so it's subtracted: 2 spades - 2 spades = 0 spades. Club appears only once in figure, so it's added: 1 club + 1 club = 2 clubs.

• Could you edit your answer for clarity, grammar, and spelling? As-is it's basically useless because it's impossible to understand. – bobble Jan 8 at 18:05
• @bobble It's perfectly possible if you have enough patience (or experience at deciphering poor English) :-) – Rand al'Thor Jan 8 at 21:31