In the list QPPPPPP, QQPPPPP, QQQPPPP, QQQQPPP, QQQQQPP, which term should come next to continue the trend?

Introduction / Context:
This question shows a sequence of seven letter strings built from the letters Q and P: QPPPPPP, QQPPPPP, QQQPPPP, QQQQPPP, QQQQQPP, and asks for the next term. These strings clearly show a shifting balance between the number of Q and P characters, which is a classic pattern tested in verbal reasoning.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Terms: QPPPPPP, QQPPPPP, QQQPPPP, QQQQPPP, QQQQQPP, ?
• Each term has exactly 7 letters.
• Letters used: Q and P only.
• The pattern likely involves changing counts of Q and P in a regular way.

Concept / Approach:
The natural approach is to count how many Q and P letters appear in each string. Often, such patterns increase the number of one letter and decrease the other in a controlled manner. Once we see how many Qs and Ps are in each position, we simply extend the numeric pattern by one step and then write the corresponding string.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Count Qs and Ps in each term. Step 2: QPPPPPP has 1 Q and 6 Ps. Step 3: QQPPPPP has 2 Qs and 5 Ps. Step 4: QQQPPPP has 3 Qs and 4 Ps. Step 5: QQQQPPP has 4 Qs and 3 Ps. Step 6: QQQQQPP has 5 Qs and 2 Ps. Step 7: We see that the number of Qs increases by 1 each time, while the number of Ps decreases by 1, keeping the total at 7. Step 8: Following this rule, the next term should have 6 Qs and 1 P. Step 9: Writing six Qs followed by one P gives QQQQQQP.

Verification / Alternative check:
The progression of Q counts is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and the progression of P counts is 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. This is a perfect mirror pattern. Any correct next term must preserve the length 7 and continue these arithmetic sequences. QQQQQQP does exactly that, and we can also see that visually it continues the idea that one more P is replaced by Q at each step.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
PPPPPPP would have 0 Qs and 7 Ps, which reverses the trend. QPPPPPP and QQPPPPP are earlier terms, so they do not represent a continuation. QQQQPPP repeats the fourth term instead of moving the pattern forward. Thus, only QQQQQQP satisfies the numeric progression of Qs and Ps.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes try to interpret positions of Qs and Ps in a more complicated way, when the counts alone give the full logic. Others may think the series should stop once Qs reach five, but the pattern does not indicate any stopping rule. Always check simple numeric features like counts of each letter before searching for more complex patterns.

Final Answer:
The term that follows the trend of the list is QQQQQQP.