Insert five letters to maintain the “b anchors between a/c swings” rule across the whole run: b _ ac _ cc _ cb _ ab _ ac

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: cbaba

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The given skeleton fixes “ac/cc/cb/ab/ac” as internal anchors. A good completion keeps b as a recurring anchor between alternating a/c swings, avoiding triple same-letter runs at seams.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Template: b _ ac _ cc _ cb _ ab _ ac
  • Five letters inserted sequentially.
  • Avoid clusters like “aaa”, “bbb”, “ccc”.


Concept / Approach:
We want a pattern that starts by pairing b with c (to lead into “…bac…”), then toggles a/b to support “…cc…” and “…cb…”, finally closing cleanly before the last “…ac”.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Use “cbaba”.Seams: “b c ac b cc a cb a ab a ac” (spacing added for visual clarity).Each anchor is approached with the complementary letter, keeping alternation and avoiding triples.


Verification / Alternative check:
Other options either introduce “bbb” or mis-time the c near the “…cc…” anchor, causing collisions.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • bbaac: Packs double b’s against “cb/ab” anchors.
  • abbbc: Creates “bbb”.
  • aabba: Misaligns with “…cc…” and “…cb…” placements.
  • None of these: Not required since “cbaba” works.


Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting to check every seam; a candidate can look fine up front yet fail near the close.


Final Answer:
cbaba

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