7.1 Skipping Letters Alphabetical Reasoning Problems

 7.1: Skipping Letters Alphabetical Reasoning Problems 

1: Forward Skipping Sequence

These problems involve a sequence where letters move forward in the alphabet, skipping a fixed or increasing number of letters.

Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: A, C, I, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. List the positions of the letters: A = 1, C = 3, I = 9.
  2. Calculate the differences in positions:
     • From A to C: 3 - 1 = 2 (skip 1 letter: B).
     • From C to I: 9 - 3 = 6 (skip 5 letters: D, E, F, G, H).
  3. Observe the pattern in differences: 2, 6. This suggests a geometric progression (e.g., multiply by 3: 2 × 3 = 6).
  4. The next difference should be 6 × 3 = 18.
  5. Add 18 to the position of I (9): 9 + 18 = 27. Since 27 > 26, subtract 26: 27 - 26 = 1 (A).
  6. The next term is A.
• Answer: A
• Explanation: The sequence follows a pattern where the difference in positions increases by a factor of 3 (2, 6, 18). After I (9th position), adding 18 gives 27, which cycles back to A (1st position).

Problem 2: B, E, I, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. Positions: B = 2, E = 5, I = 9.
  2. Differences: 5 - 2 = 3, 9 - 5 = 4.
  3. The differences are increasing: 3, 4. Assume the next difference is 5.
  4. Add 5 to I’s position (9): 9 + 5 = 14 (N).
  5. The next term is N.
• Answer: N
• Explanation: The sequence skips an increasing number of letters (2, 3, then 4). From I, skipping 4 letters (J, K, L, M) lands on N.

Problem 3: D, I, O, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. Positions: D = 4, I = 9, O = 15.
  2. Differences: 9 - 4 = 5, 15 - 9 = 6.
  3. Differences increase: 5, 6. The next difference is likely 7.
  4. Add 7 to O’s position (15): 15 + 7 = 22 (V).
  5. The next term is V.
• Answer: V
• Explanation: The skip increases by 1 each time (4, 5, 6 letters skipped). From O, skip 6 letters to V.

Problem 4: A, D, I, I, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. Positions: A = 1, D = 4, I = 9, I = 9.
  2. Differences: 4 - 1 = 3, 9 - 4 = 5, 9 - 9 = 0.
  3. The pattern seems irregular due to the repeat (I to I). Assume the sequence resets or pauses at I.
  4. From the second I (9), apply the next logical skip (e.g., 3, as in the first step): 9 + 3 = 12 (L).
  5. The next term is L.
• Answer: L
• Explanation: The sequence has a hiccup at I (repetition). Assuming the pattern restarts with a skip of 2 letters from I, we get L.

Problem 5: C, I, O, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. Positions: C = 3, I = 9, O = 15.
  2. Differences: 9 - 3 = 6, 15 - 9 = 6.
  3. The skip is constant: 6 positions (5 letters).
  4. Add 6 to O’s position (15): 15 + 6 = 21 (U).
  5. The next term is U.
• Answer: U
• Explanation: The sequence consistently skips 5 letters (6 positions). From O, skip P, Q, R, S, T to reach U.

Problem 6: F, K, S, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. Positions: F = 6, K = 11, S = 19.
  2. Differences: 11 - 6 = 5, 19 - 11 = 8.
  3. Differences: 5, 8. Assume the next difference increases by 3 (to 11).
  4. Add 11 to S’s position (19): 19 + 11 = 30. Since 30 > 26, subtract 26: 30 - 26 = 4 (D).
  5. The next term is D.
• Answer: D
• Explanation: The skip increases by 3 (4, 7, 10 letters). From S, skip 10 letters, cycling past Z back to D.

Problem 7: B, I, Q, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. Positions: B = 2, I = 9, Q = 17.
  2. Differences: 9 - 2 = 7, 17 - 9 = 8.
  3. Differences: 7, 8. The next difference is likely 9.
  4. Add 9 to Q’s position (17): 17 + 9 = 26 (Z).
  5. The next term is Z.
• Answer: Z
• Explanation: The skip increases by 1 (6, 7, 8 letters). From Q, skip 8 letters to Z.

Problem 8: E, J, Q, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. Positions: E = 5, J = 10, Q = 17.
  2. Differences: 10 - 5 = 5, 17 - 10 = 7.
  3. Differences: 5, 7. The next difference is likely 9 (increasing by 2).
  4. Add 9 to Q’s position (17): 17 + 9 = 26 (Z).
  5. The next term is Z.
• Answer: Z
• Explanation: The skip increases by 2 (4, 6, 8 letters). From Q, skip 8 letters to Z.

Problem 9: A, G, O, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. Positions: A = 1, G = 7, O = 15.
  2. Differences: 7 - 1 = 6, 15 - 7 = 8.
  3. Differences: 6, 8. The next difference is likely 10 (increasing by 2).
  4. Add 10 to O’s position (15): 15 + 10 = 25 (Y).
  5. The next term is Y.
• Answer: Y
• Explanation: The skip increases by 2 (5, 7, 9 letters). From O, skip 9 letters to Y.

Problem 10: C, F, K, ?

• Step-by-Step Solution:
  1. Positions: C = 3, F = 6, K = 11.
  2. Differences: 6 - 3 = 3, 11 - 6 = 5.
  3. Differences: 3, 5. The next difference is likely 7 (increasing by 2).
  4. Add 7 to K’s position (11): 11 + 7 = 18 (R).
  5. The next term is R.
• Answer: R
• Explanation: The skip increases by 2 (2, 4, 6 letters). From K, skip 6 letters to R.