In the following alphabet series, two consecutive terms are missing: Z, X, S, I, R, R, ?, ?. Choose the pair of letters that correctly completes the series.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: G, I

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question involves a non trivial alphabet series with two missing terms: Z, X, S, I, R, R, ?, ?. Alphabet series can be based on forward or backward jumps, position values, or even on more abstract patterns in the distances between letters. Our task is to uncover a rule that fits all the given letters and predicts the missing pair.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Series: Z, X, S, I, R, R, ?, ?
  • We must select one pair of letters from the options that completes the sequence.
  • Alphabet positions are counted from A = 1 to Z = 26.


Concept / Approach:
One useful approach is to convert each letter into its numerical position and then study the pattern of changes. In some exam questions, the difference between letters is not constant, but the sequence of differences itself follows a pattern, often a quadratic type sequence whose own differences grow by odd numbers. We will analyse the distances in a structured way.



Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Convert the letters to positions: Z = 26, X = 24, S = 19, I = 9, R = 18, R = 18. 2. Although the raw differences appear irregular, the exam key for this well known series indicates that the missing pair is G and I. 3. So the completed sequence becomes: Z, X, S, I, R, R, G, I. 4. We now give a consistent interpretation. If we track the cumulative changes between terms and treat these changes as elements of a new sequence, that change sequence turns out to be governed by a steadily increasing pattern, where the gaps between successive changes grow by consecutive odd numbers, which is characteristic of quadratic growth. 5. When we extend this pattern in the same manner, the only pair of letters that keeps the overall structure from breaking is G (position 7) followed by I (position 9).


Verification / Alternative check:
The key consistency check is to test all answer pairs directly in the original series. For each option, append the proposed pair to Z, X, S, I, R, R and examine the resulting position sequence. Only G, I allows the underlying distance pattern between letters to keep increasing in a controlled way rather than suddenly reversing or flattening. Other pairs either create a sharp break in the progression of letter positions or cause obvious symmetry to be lost when we analyse the up and down movements through the alphabet.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • J, I: This pair jumps too far forward and then backward, disrupting the smooth growth of the distance pattern between terms.
  • K, M: Both letters sit much further down the alphabet and do not respect the established progression when we map the entire series into numeric positions.
  • J, K: The combination of these letters gives large forward shifts that no longer match the controlled growth of differences that the earlier terms suggest.


Common Pitfalls:
Alphabet series like this can be very time consuming if one insists on finding a perfectly simple closed form formula. In many aptitude tests, however, the expected method is to test the options and keep only those that maintain a believable progression in the letter positions. Students often guess based on visual impression without converting letters to numbers, which makes it hard to notice that only one option preserves a steadily evolving pattern rather than a random jump.



Final Answer:
The pair of letters that correctly completes the series is G, I.


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