INTRODUCTION
Letter series is a logical arrangement of letters of English alphabet arranged in a specified pattern. In this, a series of letters, groups of letters or combination of letters and numbers is given. Each group or single element is called term. The terms of the series form a certain pattern. So first required to identify this pattern and find the missing term in the given series which will satisfy the pattern.ALPHABET SERIES
In this type, letters of English alphabet are arranged in a particular pattern like reverse order of letters, skipping of letters, position of letters in alphabetical order etc.One lettered series:
In One lettered series each term contains one letter and follows a certain pattern.
EXAMPLE : What will come in place of question mark (?) in the following letter series?
C, H, M, R, ?
SOLUTION : C = 3, H = 8, M = 13, R = 18.
Here, the difference between the letters is 5.
So, the next letter is W (18 + 5 = 23).
Two lettered series:
In Two lettered series each term contains two letter and follows a certain pattern. We have to find out the next term according to that pattern.
EXAMPLE : What will come in place of question mark (?) in the following letter series?
BL, DN, FP, HR, ?
SOLUTION : B = 2, D = 4, F = 6, H = 8.
L = 12, N = 14, P = 16, R = 18.
Here, 1st letter and 2nd letter in each term is increases by 2.
So, the next term is JT (H + 2 = J and R + 2 = T).
Three lettered series:
In Three lettered series each term contains three letter and follows a certain pattern. We have to find out the next term according to that pattern.
EXAMPLE : What will come in place of question mark (?) in the following letter series?
DGY, CIV, BKS, AMP, ?
SOLUTION : D = 4, C = 3, B = 2, A = 1 (Decreasing by 1)
So, the next letter is Z (A – 1 = Z).
G = 7, I = 9, K = 11, M = 13 (Increasing by 2)
So, the next letter is O (M + 2 = O).
Y = 25, V = 22, S = 19, P = 16 (Decreasing by 3)
So, the next letter is M (P – 3 = M).
Therefore, next term is ZOM.
CONTINUOUS PATTERN SERIES
In this type, a series of small/capital letters are given which follow a particular pattern. However, some letters are missing from the series. The series follow a specific pattern and candidates are required to find the letters which should come in place of the blank spaces or question marks.EXAMPLE : In each of the following letter series, some of the letters are missing which are given in that order as one of the alternatives below it. Choose the correct alternative.
gfe _ ig _ eii _ fei _ gf _ ii
A) eifgi B) figie
C) ifgie D) ifige
SOLUTION : Here, the answer is option C
Here, the series is gfeii/ gfeii/ gfeii/ gfeii.
Thus, the pattern ‘gfeii’ is repeated.
