In the following three letter groups, one term is missing. Identify the group of letters that correctly continues the pattern: DAF, FED, HIB, ?

Introduction / Context:
This is an alphabet series question based on three letter clusters. You are asked to extend the pattern by selecting the next cluster from the given options. Such questions measure your ability to detect positional changes in letters and to apply them consistently across all parts of the series.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Given groups: DAF, FED, HIB, ? • Options are three letter clusters that may continue the observed pattern. • Standard English alphabet positions are used (A = 1 to Z = 26). • The same rule applies to each of the three letter positions across the clusters.

Concept / Approach:
We treat each position in the triplets separately. That means we examine the first letters as an independent series, then the second letters, and finally the third letters. For each sequence we look for simple arithmetic patterns based on letter positions, such as adding, subtracting, or cyclic movement around the alphabet. When a pattern emerges in all three positions, we use it to determine the missing term.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Convert the first letters to positions. First letters: D (4), F (6), H (8). We are adding 2 each time: 4 → 6 → 8, so the next first letter is 8 + 2 = 10, which is J. Step 2: Convert the second letters. Second letters: A (1), E (5), I (9). We add 4 each time: 1 → 5 → 9, so the next second letter is 9 + 4 = 13, which is M. Step 3: Convert the third letters. Third letters: F (6), D (4), B (2). Here we subtract 2 each time: 6 → 4 → 2, so the next would be 2 − 2 = 0. In a cyclic alphabet, position 0 wraps around to 26, which corresponds to Z. Step 4: Combine the results to obtain the missing term JMZ.

Verification / Alternative check:
Check consistency across the sequence: First column follows +2, second column follows +4, and third column follows −2 with wrapping at the end of the alphabet. DAF → FED → HIB → JMZ respects these rules perfectly: D to F to H to J, A to E to I to M, and F to D to B to Z. No alternative option matches all three position patterns.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• JOY: J and O do not fit the +2, +4 pattern correctly for the first two letters, and Y does not match the required wrapped value Z in the third position. • LUX: The first letter L would require a jump of +4 instead of +2 from H, and the second and third letters do not match the established sequences. • JOZ: The third letter Z is acceptable, but the first two letters J and O do not respect the +2 and +4 increments from H and I respectively.

Common Pitfalls:
Many test takers focus only on one of the positions and stop when they notice a partial pattern. A correct answer must satisfy all three letter positions simultaneously. Another pitfall is forgetting that letter series can wrap around from A to Z or Z to A. For the third letters, wrapping is essential to correctly arrive at Z from B using a subtraction pattern.

Final Answer:
The next three letter group in the series is JMZ.