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Question

A series is given with one term missing. Select the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series.

ABCD, CUKA, ENSX, GGAU, ?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2022 Tier-II (Paper 2 JSO) Previous Year Paper (04-Mar-2023)
The correct answer is

IZIR

Analyzing the Given Letter Series

The question asks us to find the missing term in the letter series: ABCD, CUKA, ENSX, GGAU, ?. To solve this type of letter series problem, we need to analyze the pattern of letter changes across the terms, usually looking at each letter position individually.

Let's examine the terms and the letters at each position:

Position Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 Term 5 (?) Pattern Analysis
1st Letter A C E G ? Let's look at the alphabetical position (A=1, B=2, ...). A(1) to C(3) is +2. C(3) to E(5) is +2. E(5) to G(7) is +2. The pattern for the first letter is consistently adding 2 to the alphabetical position. Following this pattern, the next letter will be G(7) + 2 = I(9).
2nd Letter B U N G ? Let's look at the alphabetical position. B(2) to U(21) is +19. U(21) to N(14) is -7. N(14) to G(7) is -7. This suggests a pattern of differences: +19, -7, -7. If this pattern repeats or continues in a sequence, the next difference should be +19. G(7) + 19 = 26, which corresponds to Z. Let's check if this fits any option later.
3rd Letter C K S A ? Let's look at the alphabetical position. C(3) to K(11) is +8. K(11) to S(19) is +8. S(19) to A(1) is +8 (19 + 8 = 27, which is equivalent to 27 - 26 = 1, or A, in a cyclic alphabet). The pattern for the third letter is consistently adding 8 to the alphabetical position (cyclic). Following this pattern, the next letter will be A(1) + 8 = I(9).
4th Letter D A X U ? Let's look at the alphabetical position. D(4) to A(1) is -3. A(1) to X(24) is -3 (1 - 3 = -2, which is equivalent to -2 + 26 = 24, or X, in a cyclic alphabet). X(24) to U(21) is -3. The pattern for the fourth letter is consistently subtracting 3 from the alphabetical position (cyclic). Following this pattern, the next letter will be U(21) - 3 = R(18).

Determining the Missing Term

Based on the pattern analysis for each position:

  • The 1st letter of the next term is I.
  • The 2nd letter of the next term is Z (based on the +19, -7, -7, +19 pattern).
  • The 3rd letter of the next term is I.
  • The 4th letter of the next term is R.

Combining these letters, the missing term in the letter series is IZIR.

Let's summarize the patterns using alphabetical positions:

  • Position 1: $P_{n+1} = P_n + 2$
  • Position 2: Differences are +19, -7, -7, +19, ...
  • Position 3: $P_{n+1} = P_n + 8$ (mod 26, with A=1, Z=26)
  • Position 4: $P_{n+1} = P_n - 3$ (mod 26, with A=1, Z=26)

Applying these patterns to the last term GGAU (G=7, G=7, A=1, U=21):

  • 1st letter: G(7) + 2 = I(9)
  • 2nd letter: G(7) + 19 = 26 = Z(26)
  • 3rd letter: A(1) + 8 = I(9)
  • 4th letter: U(21) - 3 = R(18)

Thus, the next term is IZIR.

Revision Table: Key Patterns in the Series

Position Letters Pattern
1st A, C, E, G, I Add 2 to alphabetical position
2nd B, U, N, G, Z Differences: +19, -7, -7, +19, ...
3rd C, K, S, A, I Add 8 to alphabetical position (cyclic)
4th D, A, X, U, R Subtract 3 from alphabetical position (cyclic)

 

Additional Information: Solving Letter Series Questions

Letter series questions are common in reasoning and aptitude tests. They require identifying the rule that governs the progression of letters or groups of letters. Here are some tips for solving them:

  • Analyze Positionally: Look at the pattern for the first letter of each term, then the second, and so on.
  • Consider Alphabetical Positions: Convert letters to their numerical positions (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26) to identify arithmetic patterns (addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.).
  • Look for Cyclic Patterns: Remember the alphabet is cyclic. Adding to Z wraps back to A, and subtracting from A wraps back to Z. Use modulo 26 arithmetic if helpful.
  • Check Different Pattern Types: Patterns can involve constant differences, increasing/decreasing differences, alternating operations (+, -), perfect squares/cubes of positions, or even patterns related to vowels/consonants or symmetry.
  • Compare with Options: Once you identify a potential pattern, check if it generates one of the given options. This can help confirm or refine your hypothesis.
  • Practice: The more series you analyze, the better you become at recognizing common patterns quickly.
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Important Questions from Alphabet Series

  1. A series is given with some letters missing. Choose the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series:

    BR __ __ NB __ O __ NB
  2. A series is given with some letters missing. Choose the set of letters which when sequentially placed shall complete it .

    a __ __ dba __ __ bcad __ __ da __ __ cd
  3. In the following letter series, some of the letters are missing which are given in that order as one of the alternatives below It. Choose the correct alternative

    _ a _ b _ abaa _ bab _ abb
  4. Select the combination of letters that when sequentially placed in the blanks of the given series will complete the series.

    Q _ P _ M _ A _ T _ Q A _ T M

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