A word-mapping progression is given: ACE → TAB; COG → ADD; EAR → RAF; GUT → UGH. Which could be the next pair in the same logic?

Introduction / Context:
Letter-pair mappings often encode a deterministic shift—sometimes symmetric (forward/back), sometimes positional (1st/2nd/3rd letters treated differently). We must infer the hidden rule that transforms the left triplet into the right triplet.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Pairs: ACE→TAB; COG→ADD; EAR→RAF; GUT→UGH.
• Left and right sides each have three letters.

Concept / Approach:
Inspect per-position shifts. A common structure is: first letter maps via a wrap-around backward/forward jump; second letter via a complementary jump; third letter mirrors or holds (e.g., center-anchored reflections). Testing candidates on the discovered transformation reveals which pair fits.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Recompute the deltas numerically (A=1..Z=26) to confirm each position's shift matches the earlier examples.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• They mismatch at least one position's shift length or direction relative to the learned rule.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming uniform +k shift across all positions rather than position-specific rules.

Final Answer:
IVY - TAJ