A, D, I, P, Y, ?

Question

A, D, I, P, Y, ?

1. A. I
2. B. J (Correct answer)
3. C. K
4. D. L

Correct Answer

Option B — B

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option B.

Key Points

• Letters: A, D, I, P, Y, ?
• Positions: A=1, D=4, I=9, P=16, Y=25 — these are the perfect squares 1², 2², 3², 4², 5².
• The next is 6² = 36. Wrapping around the 26-letter alphabet: 36 − 26 = 10 = J.
• So the answer is J.

Exam Tip

• recognise the square-number pattern 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 quickly — it is one of the most common letter-series tricks, always followed by a wrap-around past Z.

Additional Information

• The positions 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 are the perfect squares, so the next term is at position 36 = Z's neighbour, counting past 26 with a wrap if needed.
• Perfect squares, cubes, triangular numbers and primes are the four position-patterns worth checking first in letter series.
• Triangular numbers (1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21) appear almost as often as squares.