A letter series using Roman numeral symbols is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series: XIIIII, IXIIII, IIXIII, IIIXII, IIIIXI, ?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: IIIIIX

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This verbal reasoning question uses the Roman numeral symbols I and X arranged in a pattern. The task is to identify how the arrangement changes from term to term and then determine which option continues that pattern. The focus is on positional changes of a specific character rather than on calculating actual Roman numeral values.


Given Data / Assumptions:
Given series: XIIIII, IXIIII, IIXIII, IIIXII, IIIIXI, ?Each term contains exactly one X and multiple I symbols.We assume that the position of X follows a consistent movement across the series.


Concept / Approach:
The main idea is to track the position of X from left to right within each term. The total number of letters remains constant, but the X appears to be shifting one place to the right in every successive term. By examining each term character by character, we can verify this movement and then predict the final position of X in the next term. We are not required to interpret the numeral values; only the arrangement matters here.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Write the first term as a sequence of six characters: X I I I I I (X at position 1).Step 2: Second term: I X I I I I (X at position 2).Step 3: Third term: I I X I I I (X at position 3).Step 4: Fourth term: I I I X I I (X at position 4).Step 5: Fifth term: I I I I X I (X at position 5).Step 6: The pattern clearly shows that X shifts one place to the right in each term, so in the next term X must move to position 6.Step 7: A term with X at position 6 and I in all earlier positions is I I I I I X, written as IIIIIX.


Verification / Alternative check:
List the positions of X across the given terms: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. This forms a simple sequence increasing by 1 each time. The logical continuation is position 6. Among the options, only IIIIIX has X in the sixth and final position. All other letters remain I, keeping the total number of characters and their types unchanged. This fully matches the observed rule, confirming that IIIIIX is the correct next term.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option IIIIXII has X in the middle with a total of seven letters, which breaks both the six-character length and the one-step shift pattern.Option IIIIIXI places X at the second last position and adds an extra I at the end, again giving seven characters and violating the fixed length.Option XIIIIX has X at both the first and last positions, introducing two X symbols and completely breaking the rule that there should be exactly one X.


Common Pitfalls:
One common error is to overthink the Roman numeral values and attempt arithmetic operations, which are not relevant here. Others may ignore character counts and only consider visual similarity, missing the consistent shift of X by one position. Carefully counting positions and maintaining the constant length is essential to avoid these mistakes.


Final Answer:
The term that correctly completes the letter pattern series is IIIIIX.

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