Pattern Analysis: Letter Shifting

The problem presents two pairs of letter sets: PMO-MJL and OLN-LIK. We need to find the pattern connecting the letters within each pair.

Let's analyze the first pair, PMO -> MJL:

• P (16th letter) shifts to M (13th letter): $16 - 3 = 13$.
• M (13th letter) shifts to J (10th letter): $13 - 3 = 10$.
• O (15th letter) shifts to L (12th letter): $15 - 3 = 12$.

The pattern is a backward shift of 3 positions for each letter.

Let's verify with the second pair, OLN -> LIK:

• O (15th letter) shifts to L (12th letter): $15 - 3 = 12$.
• L (12th letter) shifts to I (9th letter): $12 - 3 = 9$.
• N (14th letter) shifts to K (11th letter): $14 - 3 = 11$.

The pattern of shifting each letter back by 3 positions is confirmed.

Option Verification: Applying the Pattern

We will now apply the backward shift of 3 (-3) pattern to the given options to find the pair that matches.

• Option 1: RNO-NKM
  R (18) - 3 = 15 (O). The target is N (14). This does not match.
• Option 2: ROQ-OLN
  R (18) - 3 = 15 (O). Matches O.
  O (15) - 3 = 12 (L). Matches L.
  Q (17) - 3 = 14 (N). Matches N.
  This pair follows the established pattern.
• Option 3: RNO-OLN
  R (18) - 3 = 15 (O). Matches O.
  N (14) - 3 = 11 (K). The target is L (12). This does not match.
• Option 4: ROQ-NLM
  R (18) - 3 = 15 (O). The target is N (14). This does not match.

Only Option 2 (ROQ-OLN) consistently follows the identified pattern of shifting each letter back by 3 positions.