Refer to the following letter and symbol series and answer the question that follows. Counting to be done from left to right only:
(Left) C & S D @ U$ K S Q & E A S * E B U (Right)
How many such symbols are there each of which is immediately preceded by a vowel but not immediately followed by a vowel?

1. A

   Three

2. B

   Two

3. C

   None

4. D

   One

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

• The core task is to find a specific three-character pattern: (Vowel, Symbol, Not a Vowel).
• The vowels are A, E, I, O, U. The symbols in the series are &, @, $, *.
• Scanning the series, we find the sequence 'U $ K'.
• 'U' is a vowel, '$' is a symbol, and 'K' is not a vowel.
• This is the only sequence in the series that matches the specified conditions.
• Therefore, there is only one such symbol.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This is an incorrect count. A thorough check of all symbols reveals that only one symbol meets the criteria, not three.
• Option B: This is an incorrect count. Only the symbol '$' satisfies the condition. No other symbol is preceded by a vowel and not followed by a vowel.
• Option C: This is incorrect because there is one symbol, '$', that perfectly matches the given conditions.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical reasoning and pattern recognition in alphanumeric series as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• While not a clinical question, this type of logical reasoning tests cognitive skills crucial for nursing.
• Nurses must accurately follow multi-step protocols and recognize patterns in patient data (e.g., vital signs, lab results), which requires similar attention to detail and logical processing.
• For example, identifying a pattern like 'rising temperature, falling blood pressure, and increasing heart rate' requires the same skill set as solving this puzzle.

How to Approach the Question

• First, carefully read the question to understand the exact conditions. Here, it's 'symbol preceded by a vowel' and 'not followed by a vowel'.
• Identify the distinct types of characters you need to consider: vowels (A, E, I, O, U), and symbols (&, @, $, *).
• Systematically scan the series from left to right. When you encounter a symbol, pause and check the character immediately before and after it.
• Apply the two conditions to each symbol found. Check if the preceding character is a vowel. If it is, then check if the following character is NOT a vowel.
• Keep a running count of every symbol that satisfies both conditions.
• Finally, select the option that matches your final count.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Logical reasoning and pattern recognition in alphanumeric series.
• Stem keywords: letter and symbol series, preceded by, followed by, vowel
• Lead-in keywords: How many

Question ID

Qm5VQJaRyk8Zc8U-rE_wiQ

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