In the letter series L, O, Q, T, V, which of the following letters should come next to continue the pattern?

Introduction / Context:
This is a simple letter series problem involving single letters: L, O, Q, T, V, followed by a missing term. The task is to identify the pattern and decide which letter comes next. Many such questions rely on constant steps or alternating steps in the alphabet positions. Once the pattern of jumps between consecutive letters is clear, extending the series is straightforward.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Given series: L, O, Q, T, V, ?
• Alphabet positions: L is 12, O is 15, Q is 17, T is 20, V is 22.
• We must choose the next letter from X, W, Y, Z, U.

Concept / Approach:
A practical method for such questions is to convert each letter to its numeric position and study the differences between consecutive terms. In many exam questions, the pattern is a simple repeated difference, or a small alternation like plus three, then plus two, then plus three, and so on. Once that pattern is identified, we apply it to obtain the next letter in the series and then map back from number to letter.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Write down the positions of the letters. L is 12, O is 15, Q is 17, T is 20, V is 22. Step 2: Compute the differences between consecutive letters: 15 minus 12 equals 3, 17 minus 15 equals 2, 20 minus 17 equals 3, and 22 minus 20 equals 2. Step 3: Observe the pattern in differences: +3, +2, +3, +2. The series alternates between adding 3 and adding 2. Step 4: The last jump from T to V was +2, so the next jump should be +3 to maintain the alternating pattern. Step 5: Add 3 to the position of V. V is 22, so 22 plus 3 equals 25. Step 6: The 25th letter of the English alphabet is Y. Step 7: Therefore, the next letter in the series must be Y.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can write the pattern using both letters and differences explicitly: L (+3) O (+2) Q (+3) T (+2) V (+3) Y. The repeated cycle of plus three, plus two is clearly maintained in this extended sequence. None of the other option letters, when inserted, would preserve this regular alternation of differences, which confirms that Y is the only consistent continuation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
X is 24. Adding it after V would represent a step of +2, but we already had a +2 step from T to V, so the alternation of +3 and +2 would break.
W is 23. The step from V to W would be +1, which does not appear anywhere in the pattern of differences.
Z is 26. The step from V to Z would be +4, again breaking the neat +3, +2 alternation.
U is 21, which would actually move backwards from V and completely break the increasing nature of the series.

Common Pitfalls:
One common error is to assume a constant difference, such as always adding 2 or 3, without checking all steps carefully. Another mistake is to guess based on the visual distance of letters instead of converting them to numbers. Always compute each step explicitly; this takes only a few seconds and removes confusion, especially in alternating difference patterns like this one.

Final Answer:
The next letter in the series is Y.