In the following letter sequence, one term is missing. Choose the correct option that will replace the question mark. EV, GT, JQ,…

Question

In the following letter sequence, one term is missing.

Choose the correct option that will replace the question mark. EV, GT, JQ, OL,?

1. A. UF
2. B. RI
3. C. VE (Correct answer)
4. D. KP

Correct Answer

Option C — VE

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is VE.

Key Points

• Split the pairs into two columns and convert to positions:
  • 1st letters: E(5), G(7), J(10), O(15) — differences +2, +3, +5
  • 2nd letters: V(22), T(20), Q(17), L(12) — differences −2, −3, −5
• The step sizes are the prime numbers 2, 3, 5, so the next is 7:
  • 15 + 7 = 22 = V
  • 12 − 7 = 5 = E
• The answer is VE.

Additional Information

• The two columns move in opposite directions by the same magnitude, which is a strong confirmation once spotted — a mismatch there would mean the pattern was misread.
• Prime-number step sizes (2, 3, 5, 7, 11) are a favourite Tier II construction, alongside squares and consecutive integers.
• When first differences are not constant, look at the differences themselves before abandoning the pattern.
• Converting letters to numbers is essential here; the jumps of 5 and 7 are very hard to track by counting letters mentally.