Choose the pair of missing terms from the given alternatives that will correctly complete the letter series T, R, P, N, L, ?, ?

Introduction / Context:

This problem involves a letter series where alphabets appear in a particular order and two terms are missing at the end. The aim is to identify the underlying pattern in the positions of the letters and then extend that pattern logically. Such questions test familiarity with the alphabetical order, the ability to map letters to their numerical positions, and the skill to recognize constant or regular changes between these positions. These are common in verbal reasoning sections of competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The letter series is T, R, P, N, L, ?, ?.
• We must find two missing letters that complete the pattern.
• All letters are from the English alphabet and are considered in standard alphabetical order.
• The rule should apply consistently from the first term to the last term.

Concept / Approach:

The key concept is to convert letters into their alphabet positions and analyze the numerical pattern. For the English alphabet, A is 1, B is 2, C is 3 and so on up to Z as 26. Once we identify how much each letter moves forward or backward in terms of positions, we can replicate that same shift to find the missing letters. In many letter series questions, the difference between successive letters remains constant or follows a simple arithmetic rule like plus two or minus three.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Convert letters to their numerical positions: T = 20, R = 18, P = 16, N = 14, L = 12. Step 2: Examine the differences between consecutive positions: 20 to 18 is minus 2, 18 to 16 is minus 2, 16 to 14 is minus 2, 14 to 12 is minus 2. Step 3: The pattern is a constant backward movement of 2 positions in the alphabet. Step 4: Apply the same rule to L, which is 12: 12 minus 2 gives 10, corresponding to J. Step 5: Continue once more: 10 minus 2 gives 8, corresponding to H. Thus the missing pair is J, H.

Verification / Alternative check:

Reconstruct the entire sequence with the found letters: T (20), R (18), P (16), N (14), L (12), J (10), H (8). Now check every step: 20 to 18 (minus 2), 18 to 16 (minus 2), 16 to 14 (minus 2), 14 to 12 (minus 2), 12 to 10 (minus 2), 10 to 8 (minus 2). The constant difference of minus 2 is preserved for the complete series, confirming that J and H are the correct missing letters.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option A (K, I) corresponds to positions 11 and 9, which would give transitions 12 to 11 and 11 to 9, breaking the minus 2 regularity. Option C (J, G) yields 12 to 10 (correct) but then 10 to 7 (minus 3) which violates the rule. Option D (K, H) produces mixed differences of minus 1 and minus 3. Option E (L, J) simply repeats L and then moves to J, so the step from N to L to L again does not maintain the consistent minus 2 pattern. Only J, H maintains the same change throughout.

Common Pitfalls:

One frequent mistake is to look for alternating patterns or to guess randomly based on partial similarity without converting letters to numbers. Another pitfall is to miscalculate alphabetical positions, for example confusing the position of J, K, or L, which then leads to wrong differences. Some learners also forget to verify the pattern for all transitions and only check a portion of the series. Careful step wise verification helps avoid these errors.

Final Answer:

The pair of letters that correctly completes the series with a constant backward step of two positions is J, H.