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Question

Select the term missing from the given series.

PG, QH, RI, ?

This question was previously asked in
RRB ALP 2018 CBT 2 Fitter Question Paper (21-Jan-2019) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is

SJ

Finding the Missing Term in a Letter Series

The question asks us to identify the missing term in the given letter series: PG, QH, RI, ?

To solve this, we need to analyse the pattern followed by the letters in each term of the series.

Analysing the Letter Patterns

Let's look at the first letter of each term and the second letter of each term separately.

Pattern in the First Letters

The first letters of the terms are P, Q, R.

  • P is the 16th letter of the English alphabet.
  • Q is the 17th letter of the English alphabet.
  • R is the 18th letter of the English alphabet.

We can see a clear pattern here: the first letter is progressing sequentially through the alphabet. The next letter in this sequence would be the 19th letter of the alphabet.

The 19th letter of the English alphabet is S.

Pattern in the Second Letters

The second letters of the terms are G, H, I.

  • G is the 7th letter of the English alphabet.
  • H is the 8th letter of the English alphabet.
  • I is the 9th letter of the English alphabet.

Similarly, the second letter is also progressing sequentially through the alphabet. The next letter in this sequence would be the 10th letter of the alphabet.

The 10th letter of the English alphabet is J.

Combining the Patterns to Find the Missing Term

The missing term is formed by combining the next letter from the first letter pattern and the next letter from the second letter pattern.

  • Next first letter: S
  • Next second letter: J

Combining these two letters gives the term SJ.

Summary of the Series Progression

Term First Letter Second Letter Pattern
PG P (16th) G (7th) -
QH Q (17th) H (8th) $+1$ in alphabet for both
RI R (18th) I (9th) $+1$ in alphabet for both
? S (19th) J (10th) $+1$ in alphabet for both

The missing term that continues the pattern is SJ.

Revision Table: Letter Series Analysis

Concept Explanation Application Here
Letter Series A sequence of letters following a specific pattern. PG, QH, RI, ? is a letter series.
Identifying Pattern Look for progression, gaps, or transformations in individual letters or groups. Both first and second letters advance by one position in the alphabet.
Alphabetical Progression Letters moving forward or backward in alphabetical order. P→Q→R→S and G→H→I→J show $+1$ progression.

Additional Information: Types of Letter Series Patterns

Letter series can follow various patterns. Some common types include:

  • Alphabetical Order: Letters progress or regress sequentially (like in this question).
  • Skipping Letters: Letters advance by skipping a fixed number of letters (e.g., A, C, E, G...).
  • Reverse Alphabetical Order: Letters move backward (e.g., Z, Y, X, W...).
  • Alternating Patterns: Different patterns apply to alternate terms or alternate letters within a term.
  • Combination Patterns: Multiple patterns are combined, sometimes involving numerical positions of letters or mathematical operations.
  • Letter Groups: Patterns involving groups of letters that change based on specific rules (e.g., dropping a letter, adding a letter, rearranging letters).

Analysing the position of letters in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26) is often helpful in identifying complex patterns.

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Similar Questions

  1. In the following series, one term is missing as shown by the question mark(?). Select the missing term from the given options.
    A, BC, DEF, GHIJ, ?

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

    TTTTTTO, TTTTTOT, TTTTOTT, TTTOTTT
  3. In the following series, one letter is missing as shown by the question mark (?). Select the missing letter from the given options.

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  4. I, L, O, R, ?

    In the following series, one letter is missing as shown by the question mark (?). Select the missing letter from the given options.
  5. In the following letter series, one letter is missing as shown by the question mark (?). Select the missing letter from the given options.

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  6. What should come in place of the question mark (?) in the given series based on the English alphabetical order?
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  7. What should come in place of the question mark (?) in the given series based on the English alphabetical order?
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  8. What should come in place of the question mark (?) in the given series based on the English alphabetical order?
    PTC KOX FJS AEN ?
  9. Refer to the following letter series and answer the question that follows. Counting to be done from left to right only.
    (Left) K S U L H A A E G H L A J Z X G U P E U P H (Right)
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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

  5. In the series _b_a_ba_b_abab_aab;

    fill in the six blanks ( _ ) using one of the following given four choices such that the series follows a specific order.

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