In the triplet series VUT, ONM, GFE, ?, which triplet should come next to continue the pattern?

Introduction / Context:
This question presents descending triplets of letters: VUT, ONM, GFE, ?, and asks for the next triplet. Each triplet itself is a simple descending run of three letters, but the starting letters of each triplet also follow a numeric pattern. Recognising both layers of structure helps to solve this problem efficiently.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Triplets: VUT, ONM, GFE, ?
• Alphabet positions A 1 to Z 26.
• Within each triplet, letters decrease by 1 from left to right.

Concept / Approach:
First, confirm the internal pattern of each triplet. Then look at how the first letters change across triplets and do the same for second and third letters. The pattern turns out to use decreasing steps between triplets. Once the step size between triplets is understood, we apply it one more time to find the starting letter of the next triplet and then build the descending run.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine triplet VUT. Positions are V 22, U 21, T 20, a descending run of minus 1 each time. Step 2: For ONM, positions are O 15, N 14, M 13, again minus 1 each time. Step 3: For GFE, positions are G 7, F 6, E 5, still minus 1 each time. Step 4: So internally, every triplet is of the form X, X minus 1, X minus 2. Step 5: Now examine the first letters: V, O, G. Step 6: Positions: V 22, O 15, G 7. Step 7: Differences are 15 minus 22 equals minus 7 and 7 minus 15 equals minus 8. So the step between first letters is decreasing by 1: minus 7, then minus 8. Step 8: Following this logic, the next step should be minus 9. Step 9: Starting from G 7, subtract 9: 7 minus 9 equals minus 2. Add 26 for wrap around to get 24, which is X. Step 10: So the next triplet must start with X and then descend: X 24, W 23, V 22. Step 11: Therefore the required triplet is XWV.

Verification / Alternative check:
Write first letters with positions: V 22, O 15, G 7, X 24. Viewed modulo 26, the differences are minus 7, minus 8, minus 9 (since 7 minus 24 equals minus 17, which is the same as plus 9 modulo 26). The internal structure of each triplet is a descending sequence of three consecutive letters. Thus XWV fits both the external and internal rules.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
WVX is ascending at the end and would not form a descending run. XYZ is fully ascending and also breaks the pattern. WVU uses letters in wrong order, and YZX is not a three letter descending sequence in the required sense. Only XWV preserves both the decreasing step between first letters and the internal descending sequence.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners notice only that each triplet is descending and assume any descending triplet will work. Others try to track the positions of all letters without separating the internal pattern of each triplet from the progression of starting letters. Always confirm both the internal structure of each term and the way those terms evolve across the series.

Final Answer:
The triplet that should come next in the series is XWV.