Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Green
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This is a colour code sequence problem where each letter stands for a colour. The aim is to detect a hidden pattern in the sequence and then predict the next term. Such questions often appear in reasoning sections to test pattern recognition in non numeric sequences. Here, we must carefully group the given letters to see how the pattern grows and repeats over time.
Given Data / Assumptions:
We are given the sequence B B R B R W B R W G B R W G Y B R B R W B R W. The letters represent colours: B for Blue, R for Red, Y for Yellow, G for Green and W for White. We must assume that the sequence continues following the same rule it has been following so far. The task is to determine the very next colour after the last W in the given series. The answer will be one of Yellow, White, Blue, Green or Red.
Concept / Approach:
Rather than examining individual letters, it is helpful to break the sequence into meaningful blocks. When we do so, a pattern of building up the string BRW step by step with additional letters emerges. After an initial single B, the sequence shows BR, then BRW, then BRWG, then BRWGY, and then it starts a new similar build up again. Identifying these repeating and expanding blocks helps us see what should come after the last partial block in the series.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Write the sequence clearly: B | B R | B R W | B R W G | B R W G Y | B R | B R W | B R W.
Notice that after an initial B, the pattern builds up as BR, then BRW, then BRWG, then BRWGY.
After completing BRWGY, the sequence seems to restart: we again see B R, then B R W and then B R W.
This suggests that the pattern is structured as B, then BR, BRW, BRWG, BRWGY, then B R, BRW, and so on, essentially repeating the build up.
Looking at the most recent part, the series ends with the block BRW at the tail.
In the earlier build up, BRW was followed by G to form BRWG. So, following the same logic, after the current BRW we expect G to appear next.
Since G stands for Green, the next colour is Green.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, compare the two places in the sequence where BRW appears as a complete block. The first time, it is followed by G and then by Y as the build reaches BRWGY. The last part of the given sequence shows BR, then BRW, and then ends. It is natural that the next step in the pattern would mirror the earlier progression and again add G after BRW. You can also think of the pattern as a repeated cycle where sets grow by appending one extra colour each time: BR, BRW, BRWG, BRWGY, then reset. This consistency across the sequence confirms that G is the logical next letter, so Green must be the next colour.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Yellow appeared in the sequence only after the block BRWG to complete BRWGY, and there is no indication that Y should follow directly after a fresh BRW in this stage. White and Blue are already contained inside the BRW fragment and do not represent the next extension. Red is part of BR, the initial two letter segment, but it is not the new colour added after BRW in the growing pattern. Only Green consistently appears as the next step in the build up from BRW to BRWG. Choosing any colour other than Green breaks the observed structure of the sequence.
Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to treat the entire sequence as a simple repeating unit and search for a short cycle like BRWGBRWG, which does not actually exist here. Another pitfall is to look only at the last few letters and guess based on immediate frequency instead of understanding the growth pattern. Some candidates also overlook the significance of the earlier BRW to BRWG jump, which gives a strong clue about what should follow. To avoid these errors, always try grouping sequences into meaningful blocks and compare early and late portions of the series. Once you see how the blocks expand, the next element usually becomes clear.
Final Answer:
If the given colour sequence is continued, the next colour will be Green.
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