Classification – Odd one out (letter sequences with growing gaps) Four 5-letter sequences are examined. Three progress with increasing step sizes +2, +3, +4, +5. One sequence breaks this growth pattern. Identify the odd sequence.

Introduction / Context:
Letter chains often encode steadily increasing gaps. Validating each inter-letter difference exposes any sequence that fails the pattern.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• DFIMR, CEHLQ, GILPU, HJMPT
• Indexing: A=1 … Z=26

Concept / Approach:
Compute successive differences. The majority pattern is +2, +3, +4, +5 across the 5 letters.

Step-by-Step Solution:
D(4)→F(6)=+2; F→I(9)=+3; I→M(13)=+4; M→R(18)=+5 → fits.C(3)→E(5)=+2; E→H(8)=+3; H→L(12)=+4; L→Q(17)=+5 → fits.G(7)→I(9)=+2; I→L(12)=+3; L→P(16)=+4; P→U(21)=+5 → fits.H(8)→J(10)=+2; J→M(13)=+3; M→P(16)=+3; P→T(20)=+4 → breaks the +4 then +5 ending.

Verification / Alternative check:
No wrap-around is involved; a simple table of gaps suffices to isolate the outlier.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• DFIMR, CEHLQ, GILPU → clean +2,+3,+4,+5.
• None of these → a single mismatch exists (HJMPT).

Common Pitfalls:
Miscounting the third step in HJMPT (+3 instead of the required +4).

Final Answer:
HJMPT