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Question

Which of the following letter-clusters will replace the question mark (?) in the given series?

DBK, GDL, JFM, MHN, ?

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

Solving Letter Series Patterns

This question asks us to find the next term in a given series of letter clusters: DBK, GDL, JFM, MHN, ?. To solve this, we need to identify the pattern governing the progression of letters in each position within the clusters.

Let's analyze the series by looking at the letters in the first, second, and third positions separately.

Analyzing the First Letter Sequence

The first letters in the series are: D, G, J, M, ?

Let's find the positional value of each letter in the English alphabet:

  • D is the 4th letter.
  • G is the 7th letter.
  • J is the 10th letter.
  • M is the 13th letter.

The sequence of positional values is 4, 7, 10, 13, ?. We can see a consistent pattern:

$$4 \xrightarrow{+3} 7$$ $$7 \xrightarrow{+3} 10$$ $$10 \xrightarrow{+3} 13$$

Following this pattern, the next positional value will be $13 + 3 = 16$. The 16th letter of the alphabet is P.

Analyzing the Second Letter Sequence

The second letters in the series are: B, D, F, H, ?

Let's find the positional value of each letter:

  • B is the 2nd letter.
  • D is the 4th letter.
  • F is the 6th letter.
  • H is the 8th letter.

The sequence of positional values is 2, 4, 6, 8, ?. This shows a clear pattern:

$$2 \xrightarrow{+2} 4$$ $$4 \xrightarrow{+2} 6$$ $$6 \xrightarrow{+2} 8$$

Following this pattern, the next positional value will be $8 + 2 = 10$. The 10th letter of the alphabet is J.

Analyzing the Third Letter Sequence

The third letters in the series are: K, L, M, N, ?

Let's find the positional value of each letter:

  • K is the 11th letter.
  • L is the 12th letter.
  • M is the 13th letter.
  • N is the 14th letter.

The sequence of positional values is 11, 12, 13, 14, ?. This shows a simple pattern:

$$11 \xrightarrow{+1} 12$$ $$12 \xrightarrow{+1} 13$$ $$13 \xrightarrow{+1} 14$$

Following this pattern, the next positional value will be $14 + 1 = 15$. The 15th letter of the alphabet is O.

Combining the Results

By combining the next letters found for each position, we get the next letter cluster in the series:

  • First letter: P
  • Second letter: J
  • Third letter: O

The next letter cluster is PJO.

Let's summarize the patterns observed:

Position Letters in Series Positional Values Pattern Next Value Next Letter
First D, G, J, M, ? 4, 7, 10, 13, ? Add 3 16 P
Second B, D, F, H, ? 2, 4, 6, 8, ? Add 2 10 J
Third K, L, M, N, ? 11, 12, 13, 14, ? Add 1 15 O

Therefore, the letter-cluster that will replace the question mark (?) is PJO.

Revision Table: Letter Series Analysis

Term First Letter Second Letter Third Letter
1st D (4) B (2) K (11)
2nd G (7) D (4) L (12)
3rd J (10) F (6) M (13)
4th M (13) H (8) N (14)
Pattern +3 +2 +1
5th (Next) P (16) J (10) O (15)

Additional Information on Letter Series Questions

Letter series questions are common in logical reasoning tests. They require you to identify a pattern in a sequence of letters or letter clusters. The patterns can be based on:

  • Positional value of letters in the alphabet (e.g., +2, -3, alternating values).
  • Skipping a fixed number of letters (this is equivalent to adding a fixed number to the positional value).
  • Vowel/consonant patterns.
  • Reversing the alphabetical order.
  • Combination of multiple patterns across different positions in a cluster.

To solve these questions effectively, it's helpful to know the alphabetical position of each letter (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26) and practice identifying different types of sequences. Writing down the positional values is often the first step to uncover numerical patterns.

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Similar Questions

  1. Select the letter that can replace the question mark(?) in the following series.

    A, E, I, ? Q, U
  2. Select the letter-cluster that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

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  3. Select the letter-cluster from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

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

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  5. Which of the following letter-clusters will replace the question mark (?) in the given series?

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

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

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  8. Which of the following letter clusters will replace the question mark (?) in the given series?

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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. 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.

  5. In the series AABABCABCDABCDE..., which letter appears at the 100th place?

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