In the alphabet pair series FU, HS, JQ, which of the following pairs of letters should appear next to continue the pattern?

Introduction / Context:
This question presents a series of letter pairs: FU, HS, JQ, ?. The goal is to identify how the first letters change across the series, how the second letters change, and then apply the same pattern to generate the next pair. Alphabet-pair series questions train candidates to handle two simultaneous patterns at once, often involving consistent forward or backward jumps in letter positions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Given series: FU, HS, JQ, ?.• Each term is a two-letter pair.• The first letters form one sub-series: F, H, J.• The second letters form another sub-series: U, S, Q.

Concept / Approach:
We assign alphabet positions to each letter (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26) and then study how these positions change from one term to the next. Often the first letters follow one constant step and the second letters follow another constant step, sometimes in the opposite direction. Once the numerical differences are clear, predicting the next pair becomes a straightforward arithmetic problem.

Step-by-Step Solution:
First letters: F=6, H=8, J=10.Differences: 8 − 6 = 2, 10 − 8 = 2, so the pattern is +2.Next first letter = 10 + 2 = 12, which is L.Second letters: U=21, S=19, Q=17.Differences: 19 − 21 = −2, 17 − 19 = −2, so the pattern is −2 each time.Next second letter = 17 − 2 = 15, which is O.Thus, combining the two results, the next pair is LO.

Verification / Alternative check:
Let us list the series numerically: FU (6,21), HS (8,19), JQ (10,17), LO (12,15). The first coordinates follow 6, 8, 10, 12 (all +2), and the second coordinates follow 21, 19, 17, 15 (all −2). This double progression confirms that LO is the natural and unique continuation, since no other option preserves both the +2 and −2 movements simultaneously.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
MN would give first letter M=13 and second letter N=14, which would not match the required +2 and −2 pattern from JQ. LM and LN also fail in at least one coordinate: they either do not move the first letter by +2 or do not move the second letter by −2. Because the rule is consistent and strict in both positions, only LO fits correctly.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes track only one letter of each pair and choose an option that works for that one position but fails on the other. Another common error is to miscalculate numeric positions or miss the fact that the movement in the second letters is backward. Carefully converting to numbers and checking both coordinates avoids these mistakes.

Final Answer:
LO