Analogies require learners to use analytical skills.
To understand analogies, students should be familiar with vocabulary but must also understand relationships,
such as comparing, contrasting, and sequencing.
In introducing a math lesson on analogies, you may wish to start with some simple examples from other disciplines, such as:
Hot is to Soup as Cold is to _____ .
4 : 12 :: 1 : _____ .
Here are some examples of kinds of relationships that can be presented to the students:
1. Purpose Relationship
ruler : line :: compass : circle
2. Part : Whole Relationship
ray :
line :: arc : circle
3. Part : Part Relationship
vertex : side ::
center : radius
4. Cause : Effect
5 : 25 :: 25 :
625
5. Action to Object Relationship
bisect : segment :: prove :
theorem
or the reverse:
equation : solve :: perpendicular :
construct
6. Position Relationship
perimeter : surrounding ::
area :
interior
7. Degree Relationship
cm :
km :: oz : ton
8. Synonym Relationship
cube : hexahedron :: average : mean
9. Antonym Relationship
parallel : intersecting :: acute :
obtuse
10. Charisteristic Relationship
square : rectangle ::
rhombus :
parallelogram
11. Sequence Relationship
mono :
bi :: tri : quad
12. Numerical Relationship
1/2 : 50% :: 1/3 :
33 1/3%
Click here for a worksheet on math analogies