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Question

Four terms have been given, out of which three are alike in some manner and one is different. Select the one that is different.

The correct answer is

UQT

Letter Series Reasoning: Finding the Odd Term

This question asks us to identify the term that is different from the other three in a given set of four letter sequences. To solve this type of reasoning problem, we usually look for a pattern or rule that applies to some terms but not others. A common approach for letter-based patterns is to examine the positions of the letters in the English alphabet.

Analyzing Letter Positions and Patterns

Let's assign numerical values to each letter based on its position in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26) and analyze the sequence within each term.

Term Letter Positions Differences
LPM L=12, P=16, M=13 $16 - 12 = +4$
$13 - 16 = -3$
UQT U=21, Q=17, T=20 $17 - 21 = -4$
$20 - 17 = +3$
EIF E=5, I=9, F=6 $9 - 5 = +4$
$6 - 9 = -3$
PTQ P=16, T=20, Q=17 $20 - 16 = +4$
$17 - 20 = -3$

Identifying the Pattern

Based on the analysis of letter positions and the differences between consecutive letters, we can observe the following patterns:

  • For LPM, the pattern is +4, -3. (12 $\xrightarrow{+4}$ 16 $\xrightarrow{-3}$ 13)
  • For UQT, the pattern is -4, +3. (21 $\xrightarrow{-4}$ 17 $\xrightarrow{+3}$ 20)
  • For EIF, the pattern is +4, -3. (5 $\xrightarrow{+4}$ 9 $\xrightarrow{-3}$ 6)
  • For PTQ, the pattern is +4, -3. (16 $\xrightarrow{+4}$ 20 $\xrightarrow{-3}$ 17)

Conclusion: Finding the Different Term

Three of the four terms (LPM, EIF, and PTQ) follow the same pattern where the position of the second letter is 4 more than the first, and the position of the third letter is 3 less than the second. The term UQT follows a different pattern where the position of the second letter is 4 less than the first, and the position of the third letter is 3 more than the second.

Therefore, UQT is the term that is different from the others.

Revision Table: Letter Series Patterns

Term Alphabetical Positions Pattern Identified
LPM 12, 16, 13 +4, -3
UQT 21, 17, 20 -4, +3
EIF 5, 9, 6 +4, -3
PTQ 16, 20, 17 +4, -3

Additional Information: Types of Letter Reasoning

Letter reasoning questions are common in many competitive exams and cognitive tests. They can involve various types of patterns, such as:

  • Alphabetical Position: Patterns based on the numerical position of letters (as seen in this question).
  • Sequence/Order: Letters appearing in alphabetical or reverse alphabetical order.
  • Skip Letter Patterns: Skipping a fixed number of letters between consecutive letters in the sequence.
  • Vowel/Consonant: Patterns based on whether the letters are vowels or consonants.
  • Combination: A mix of two or more types of patterns.
  • Mirror Image/Symmetry: Patterns related to letters being mirror images or having symmetry.

Analyzing the alphabetical positions and looking for arithmetic progressions or fixed differences is a fundamental technique for solving many letter series and odd-one-out problems.

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Important Questions from Letter based

  1. Four letter-clusters have been given, out of which three are alike in some manner and one is different. Select the letter-cluster that is different.

  2. Three of the following four letter-clusters are alike in a certain way and one is different. Pick the odd one out.

  3. Four letter-clusters have been given, out of which three are alike in some manner, while one is different. Select the odd letter-cluster.

  4. Four letter-clusters have been given, out of which three are alike in some manner and one is different. Select the one that is different.

  5. Four letter-clusters have been given, out of which three are alike in some manner and one is different. Select the letter-cluster that is different.

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