What should come in place of '?' in the given series based on the English alphabetical order? ALE, YJC, WHA, UFY, SDW, ?

Appeared in: NCL (Northern Coalfields Limited)-NO

Explanation

The series follows a consistent pattern where each letter in a term is two positions behind the corresponding letter in the preceding term.
For the first letter: A (-2) → Y (-2) → W (-2) → U (-2) → S. The next letter is S (-2) → Q.
For the second letter: L (-2) → J (-2) → H (-2) → F (-2) → D. The next letter is D (-2) → B.
For the third letter: E (-2) → C (-2) → A (-2) → Y (-2) → W. The next letter is W (-2) → U.
Combining these results gives the next term in the series as QBU.

Option A: The first letter 'P' does not follow the established pattern of subtracting 2 from the previous first letter 'S'. S(19) - 2 = Q(17), not P(16).
Option B: The first letter 'P' and the third letter 'V' are incorrect. The pattern requires the first letter to be 'Q' (S-2) and the third letter to be 'U' (W-2).
Option D: The first letter 'R', second letter 'C', and third letter 'V' are all incorrect. They do not follow the '-2' letter pattern established by the series.

Visual 1: Flowchart: A visual flowchart showing the three parallel series (First letters, Second letters, Third letters) and the '-2' operation being applied at each step to derive the next letter.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning - Alphabet Series as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question type assesses logical reasoning and pattern recognition, which are essential cognitive skills for nurses.
These skills help in analyzing patient data, identifying trends in vital signs, and making quick, logical decisions in clinical settings.
What if the pattern was alternating, like -2, +3, -2? The nurse's ability to detect such complex patterns is crucial for interpreting dynamic patient information and anticipating changes in a patient's condition.

How to Approach the Question

First, observe the given series: ALE, YJC, WHA, UFY, SDW.
Break down the series into three separate sequences based on the position of the letters: the sequence of first letters, second letters, and third letters.
Analyze the sequence of the first letters: A, Y, W, U, S. Determine the alphabetical relationship between consecutive letters (e.g., A to Y is a step of -2).
Repeat the analysis for the sequence of second letters (L, J, H, F, D) and third letters (E, C, A, Y, W).
Once the pattern is identified for all three positions (in this case, subtracting 2), apply it to the last term (SDW) to find the next term.
Combine the resulting letters to form the final answer (QBU) and select the matching option.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QLw-a77scPhy5Gn--RPxwG

Practise the full NCL (Northern Coalfields Limited)-NO

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.