CORRECTIVE 3-3-5 PATTERNS

The A3-B3-C5 patterns consist of normal flats and irregular flats.

Flats

The characteristics of a normal flat are as follows:

  • Wave B terminates close to the level of the starting point of Wave A.
  • Wave C closes near the level of the terminating point of Wave A.

A flat will generally produce strong subsequent movement. A flat formation (see Figure 4.11 and Figure 4.12) may be composed of repeated flats, totaling counts of 7 or 11 waves. In a five-wave structure, when Wave 2 is a flat, the subsequent Wave 3 can be expected to be as strong as, or stronger than, Wave 1. When Wave 4 is a flat, then Wave 5 will be stronger than Wave 1 and Wave 3. In accordance with the wave principle, flats will often alternate with zigzags.

FIGURE 4.11 Example of a flat formation pattern.

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FIGURE 4.12 Formation of a flat pattern in an A-B-C correction.

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Irregular Flats

In irregular flats (see Figure 4.13 and Figure 4.14), Wave C tends to be the strongest and approximately equals 2.618 of Wave A.

FIGURE 4.13 Formation of an irregular flat with an elongated Wave C.

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FIGURE 4.14 An irregular flat where Wave B retraces the entire Wave A.

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