Which playing card replaces the question mark?

2025

Which playing card replaces the question mark?

  1. A.

    7 of Clubs

  2. B.

    9 of Clubs

  3. C.

    Jack of Spades

  4. D.

    Queen of Diamonds

Attempted by 1 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Every card in the grid carries a signed value: red cards (hearts, diamonds) count as positive and black cards (clubs, spades) count as negative, with face cards valued Ace = 1, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13. In each column of three cards, the value of the bottom card equals the sum of the signed values of the two cards above it.

  1. Check the rule on a column that is already complete: in the third column, the top card is 8 of Hearts (+8) and the middle card is 4 of Hearts (+4); their sum is +12, and the bottom card is Queen of Hearts, which as a red Queen (value 12) is +12 - the rule holds.

  2. Check it again on the fourth column: the top card is King of Diamonds (+13) and the middle card is 2 of Clubs (-2); their sum is +11, and the bottom card is Jack of Diamonds, which as a red Jack (value 11) is +11 - the rule holds again.

  3. Apply the same rule to the last column: the top card is 4 of Clubs (-4) and the middle card is 5 of Clubs (-5); their sum is -4 + (-5) = -9.

  4. A signed value of -9 must come from a black card of rank 9. Among the four options, only 9 of Clubs has rank 9 and a black suit.

Cross-check: both cards already placed in this column (4 of Clubs and 5 of Clubs) are Clubs, so the missing card being a Club as well is also consistent with how this column is built - confirming 9 of Clubs as the card that replaces the question mark.

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