In the letter pair series AN, EQ, IT, MW, ?, which pair of letters should come next to complete the pattern?

Introduction / Context:
The series AN, EQ, IT, MW, ? consists of letter pairs with steadily changing positions. As with many alphabet test questions, we can understand the pattern by studying the first letters as one sequence and the second letters as another sequence, both evolving regularly through the alphabet.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Pairs: AN, EQ, IT, MW, ?
• Alphabet positions A 1 to Z 26.
• We assume simple arithmetic patterns in each column of letters.

Concept / Approach:
Separate the first letters A, E, I, M, ? and the second letters N, Q, T, W, ?. Convert each to numeric positions and examine differences between successive terms. The first column shows one constant step, and the second column shows another. Extending both sequences gives the missing pair.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: First letters: A, E, I, M. Step 2: Positions: A 1, E 5, I 9, M 13. Step 3: Differences are 5 minus 1 equals 4, 9 minus 5 equals 4, and 13 minus 9 equals 4. So the first letters increase by 4. Step 4: Next first letter position is 13 plus 4 equals 17, which is Q. Step 5: Second letters: N, Q, T, W. Step 6: Positions: N 14, Q 17, T 20, W 23. Step 7: Differences are 17 minus 14 equals 3, 20 minus 17 equals 3, and 23 minus 20 equals 3. So the second letters increase by 3. Step 8: Next second letter position is 23 plus 3 equals 26, which is Z. Step 9: Therefore the pair that completes the pattern is QZ.

Verification / Alternative check:
Written in numeric form, the pairs are AN 1,14; EQ 5,17; IT 9,20; MW 13,23; QZ 17,26. The first column is 1, 5, 9, 13, 17 with constant step plus 4, and the second column is 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 with constant step plus 3. No other candidate in the options matches both arithmetic progressions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
KX would give first letter K 11, which does not continue the plus 4 sequence. IV has second letter V 22, not 26, and its first letter breaks the first column. ZM has the right second letter from a different angle but fails both column sequences. Only QZ preserves the clean numeric patterns for both positions.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to treat the pair as a whole and look for a single common step, rather than separating the letters. Another issue is miscounting alphabet positions, especially towards the end of the alphabet. Always convert letters to numbers systematically and check the difference sequences for both positions.

Final Answer:
The pair that correctly completes the series is QZ.