Series Completion

CHAPTER
SERIES COMPLETION
A series is a sequence of number/alphabetical letters or both which follow a particular rule. Each element of
series is called 'term'.
We have to analyse the pattern find the missing term or next term to continue the pattern.
Type #1: Number Series
Number series is a form of numbers in a certain sequence.

Under Number series there are two ways of asking a question:-
1. Finding the missing term
Some number is missing in the given series, we need to observe first and then find the accurate number
to that series of numbers.
Example:-
4,8,12,16,20,24,28
(a) 32 (b) 36 (c) 62 (d) 64
Here the given sequence follows the pattern: +4,+4 and so on.
So the missing term =28+4=32
Hence the answer is option(a)
2. Wrong Term
In this type of questions, a series of numbers is given which follow a certain pattern and one its term
does not fit into the series. The candidate is required to identify the pattern involved in the formation of series
and then find out that number which does not follow the specific pattern of the series. The particular number is
the wrong term in the series.
Example One number is wrong in the following series. Find out this wrong number.
1, 5, 9, 15, 25, 37, 49
FIITJEE KUKATPALLY CENTRE: # 22-97, Plot No.1, Opp. Patel Kunta Huda Park, Vijaynagar Colony, Hyderabad - 500 072. Ph.: 040-64601123
FIITJEE MIYAPUR CENTRE: Above Sai Motors Maruthi Showroom, Allwyn X Road, Miyapur, Hyderabad.
Solution:
The pattern is as follows
Hence number 15 is wrong and should be replaced by 17.
Prerequisite knowledge required

• Even and odd numbers.
• Prime and composite numbers.
• Square and square roots of a numbers.
• Cube and cube roots of a numbers
Types of Number Series
1: Perfect Square Series

This type of series are based on square of a number which is in same order and one square number is missing
in that given series.
Example 841, ?, 2401, 3481, 4761

Solution:
292, 392, 492, 592, 692
2: Perfect Cube Series

Perfect Cube series is a arrangement of numbers in a certain order, where some number which is in same order
and one cube is missing in that given series.
Example 4096, 4913, 5832, ?, 8000
Solution:
163, 173, 183, 193, 203
3: Mixed Number Series

Mixed number series is a arrangement of numbers in a certain order. This type of series are more than are
different order which arranged in alternatively in single series or created according to any non conventional rule..
Example 62, 64, 30, 32, 14, 16, ?
Solution:
4: Prime Series
When numbers are a series of prime numbers.
Example 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, ____, 19
Solution:
Here, the terms of the series are the prime number in order. The prime number, after 13 is 17. So, the answer to
this question is 17.
5: Alternate Primes Series

It can be explained by below example.
Example 2, 11, 17, 23, ____, 41
Solution:
Here, the series is framed by taking the alternative prime numbers. After 23, the prime numbers are 29 and 31.
So, the answer is 31.
6: The difference of any term from its succeeding term is constant (either increasing series or
decreasing series).
Example 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, ___, 25
Solution:
Here, the difference of any term from its succeeding term is 3.
7: The difference between two consecutive terms will be either increasing or decreasing by a constant
number.
Example 2, 10, 26, 50, 82, _____
Solution:
Here, the difference between two consecutive terms are
10 -2 = 8
26 - 10 = 16
50 -26 = 24
82 - 50 = 32
Here, the difference is increased by 8 (or you can say the multiples of 8). So the next difference will be 40
(32 + 8). So, the answer is 82 + 40 = 122
8: The difference between two numbers can be multiplied by a constant number.

Example 15, 16, 19, 28, 55, _____
Solution:
Here, the difference between two numbers are
16 - 15 = 1
19 - 16 = 3
28 - 19 = 9
55 - 28 = 27
Here, the difference is multiplied by 3. So , the next difference will be 81. So the answer is 55 + 81 = 136
9: The difference can be multiples by number which will be increasing by a constant number.
Example 2, 3, 5, 11, 35, _____
Solution:
The difference between two number are
3 -2 = 1
5 - 3 = 2
11 - 5 = 6
35 - 11 = 24
10: Every third number can be the sum of the preceding two numbers.
Example 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, _____
Solution:
Here, starting from third number
3 + 5 = 8
5 + 8 = 13
8 + 13 = 21
So, the answer is 13 + 21 = 34
11: Every third number can be the product of the preceding two numbers.
Example 1, 2, 2, 4, 8, 32, _____
Solution:
Here, starting from the third number
1x2=2
2x2=4
2 x 4 = 8
4 x 8 = 32
So, the answer is 8 x 32 = 256
12: Every succeeding term is got by multiplying the previous term by a constant number or numbers
which follow a special pattern.
Example 5, 15, 45, 135, _____
Solution:
Here,
5 x 3 = 15
15 x 3 = 45
45 x 3 = 135
So, the answer is 135 x 3 = 405
13: In certain series the terms are formed by various rule (miscellaneous rules). By keen observation
you have to find out the rule and the appropriate answer.
Example 4, 11, 31, 90, _____
Solution:
Terms are,
4 x 3 - 1 = 11
11 x 3 - 2 = 31
31 x 3 -3 = 90
82 - 50 = 32
So, the answer will be 90 x 3 - 4 = 266
14: Triangular Pattern Series.

Sometimes the difference between consecutive terms of a series, again form a series. The differences between
the consecutive terms of the new series so formed, again form a series. This pattern continues till we attain a
uniform difference between the consecutive terms of the series.
Example 2, 12, 36, 80, 150, ?
Solution:
As discussed above, we may label the given series as I and them form series II to IV as shown, below:
Series - I: 2 12 36 80 150 ?
Series - II: 10 24 44 70 ?
Series - III: 14 20 26 ?
Series - IV: 6 6
Clearly, the pattern in series III is +6.
So, missing term in series III = 26 + 6 = 32
Missing term in series II = 70 + 32 = 102
Missing term in series I = 150 + 102 = 252
Thus the missing term = 252
(i.e. 150 + 70 + 26 + 6)
Miscellaneous Series(Elementary Idea of Progressions)
1. Arithmetic Progression (A.P):

The sequence of the form a, a+d, a+2d, a+3d, ....... is known as an A.P., Whose n th term is a + (n - 1) d.
Here, 'a' is first term and 'd' is common difference.
Example:-3,6,9,12,….is an AP with a=3 and d=6-3=3
So the 10th term we can easily find out using the formula:-
10th term=3+(10-1)3
=3+27=30
2. Geometric Progression (G.P):

The sequence of the form a , ar, ar2, ar3, ........ is known a G.P., whose nth term is arn-1.
Example:-1,5,25,125,….is a GP with a=1 and r=5
So the 7th term we can easily find out using the formula:-
7th term=1*5(7-1)
=1*5(15625)
=15625
Type :2 Alphabet Series

A series that is made by only alphabetic letters.
In this type, letters of English alphabet are arranged in particular pattern like reverse order of letters, skipping of
letters, position of letters in alphabetical order etc.
Example G, H, J, M, ?
Solution:
Shortcut Approach
• Remember all the alphabets and their place number.
Sometimes a word or a sentence is coded by changing the position of English alphabet letters according to a
definite pattern, so it is necessary to remember the positions of all the letters in English alphabetical order, both
in forward and backward order.
• Methods to Remember the Position of Letter in English Alphabet

Some methods/techniques are given below to remember the position of English alphabets in forward or
backward order.
1. By using EJOTY and CFILORUX formulae, we can easily remember the position of letters of English alphabet

in forward order.
Intervals like :
2. By using V Q L G B and X U R O L I F C, we can easily remember the position of letters of English alphabet
in reverse order.
Intervals like :
Type -3 Alpha Numeric Series
These kind of problems used both mathematical operation and position of letters in the alphabet in forward and
backward order.
Example 2 Z 5, 7 Y 7, 14 X 9, 23 W 11, 34 V 13, ?
Solution:
Type-4 Mixed Series
A series formed with the combination of more than one series.

Example A, Z, C, X, E, ?
Solution:
There are two interwoven series.
Hence, the missing term is V.
Example Z, L, X, J, V, H, T, F, _____, _____

Solution:
The given sequence consists of two series.
(i) Z, X, V, T, _____
(ii) L, J, H, F, _____.
Both consisting of alternate letters in the reverse order.
Next term of (i) series = R, and
Next term of (ii) series = D
Reverse Order Repetition Series

In such series, first part is written in reverse order of the second part of the series.
Example R, A, M, S, H, H, S, E, M, A, ?
Solution:
Hence, the missing term is R.
Series Having Group of Letters as Its Elements
In such series, each element consists of group of letters instead of a single letter.
Example LDP, DPL, PLD, ?
Solution: Pattern of the series as shown below
Hence, the missing term is LDP.
Type -5 Continuous Pattern Series
It is a series of small/capita; letters that follow a certain pattern like repetition of letters.
In this type, a series of small/capital letters are given which follow a particular pattern. However, some letters are
missing from the series. The series follows a specific pattern and candidates are required to find the letters
which should come in place of the blank space or question marks.
Example The following question is based on the letter series. In each of these series, some of the letters are
missing. Select the correct alternative.
baab-aba-bba--
Solution: Pattern of the series are shown below
b a a b b a/ b a a b b a /b a
Type 6: Correspondence Series
This type of series consists of three sequence with three different elements (usually capital letters, digits and
small letters). On the basis of the similarity in position in the three sequences, a capital letter is found to
correspond with a unique digit and a unique small letter, whenever it occurs. The candidate is required to trace
out this correspondence and accordingly choose the elements to be filled in at the desired places.
Example Which of the following terms follows the trend of the given list?
CB--D-ABCCB
--1243--????
a-ab-c-b----
Solution:
Comparing the positions of the capital letters, numbers, and small letters, we find a corresponds to c and 1
correspond to a. So, a and 1 correspond to c. b corresponds to A and 2 corresponds to b. So, b and 2
corresponds to A. Also, 4 corresponds to D. Therefore, the remaining number i.e. 3 corresponds to B.
Hence, BCCB corresponds to 3113.
Direction (1 – 20): In the following questions, a series of numbers is given with a particular logic. Find
the number which can continue the series with same logic.
1. 315, 317, 313, 315, 311, _____

(A) 315 (B) 317 (C) 313 (D) 250
2. 7, 9, 14, 18, 21, 27, 28, 36, _____

(A) 35 (B) 34 (C) 32 (D) 29
3. 14, 10, 32, 28, 58, 54, _____

(A) 82 (B) 112 (C) 92 (D) 72
4. 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 42, _____
(A) 56 (B) 76 (C) 46 (D) 84
5. 77, 88, 99, 777, 888, _____

(A) 777 (B) 666 (C) 888 (D) 999
6. 135, 169, 204, 240, _____

(A) 277 (B) 268 (C) 289 (D) 354
7. 20, 30, 130, 1130, _____

(A) 13300 (B) 13330 (C) 11330 (D) 11130
8. 216, 343, 512, 729, 1000, _____

(A) 1011 (B) 1101 (C) 2331 (D) 1331
9. 41, 47, 53, 59, 65, _____

(A) 94 (B) 81 (C) 92 (D) 71
10. 13, 14, 27, 41, 68, _____

(A) 191 (B) 109 (C) 119 (D) 99
11. 0, 4, 6, 3, 7, 9, 6, _____, 12
(A) 8 (B) 10 (C) 11 (D) 14
12. 1, 1, 3, 9, 6, 36, 10, 100, _____, 225

(A) 15 (B) 16 (C) 20 (D) 25
13. 17, 19, 22, 27, 34, 45, _____.

(A) 58 (B) 57 (C) 56 (D) 59
14. 7, 28, 49, 70, 91, 112, _____.

(A) 135 (B) 134 (C) 133 (D) 130
15. 1, 3, 9, 33, 153, _____.

(A) 199 (B) 306 (C) 720 (D) 873
16. 972,324,108,36,12, _____

(A) 2 (B)30 (C)4 (D)5
17. 5,6,10,19,35,60, _____

(A)109 (B)96 (C)110 (D)90
18. 10,30,68,130,222, _____

(A)342 (B)350 (C)363 (D)336
19. 4,2,2,3,6,15, _____

(A)20 (B)45 (C)36 (D)27
20. 2,3,10,39,172, _____

(A)934 (B)667 (C)777 (D)885
ALPHABET SERIES
Direction (1-25): In the following questions, letters are arranged in a particular order with some
underlying criterion. Study the letters to find out the order and fill in the blanks from the given
alternatives.
1. BMX, DNW, FOU, _____

(A) GHO (B) HPR (C) HPS (D) HPT
2. MZ, AN, LY, BO, ______

(A) KX (B) CP (C) JW (D) DQ
3. ZXUQ, ACFJ, PNKG, KMPT, _____

(A) FDBZ (B) FDAW (C) GEBX (D) NONE
4. AZ, CX, EV, GT, _____

(A) IS (B) IR (C) RI (D) JR
5. DCXW, FEVU, HGTS, _____

(A) LKPO (B) JIRO (C) JIRT (D) JIRQ
6. F, HI, LMN, RSTU, _____

(A) ABCDE (B) ZABCD (C) YZABC (D) BCDEF
7. MHQ, NJT, OLW, _____

(A) PNZ (B) PNY (C) QNY (D) PMY
8. A, Z, X, B, V, T, C, R, _____
(A) P,D (B) E,O (C) Q,E (D) Q,O
9. OTE, PUF, QVG, RWH, _____

(A) SYJ (B) TXI (C) SXJ (D) SXI
10. AA, BD, CI, DP, _____
(A) EX (B) EV (C) EY (D) EZ
ALPHANUMERIC SERIES
Direction (1-10) : In the following questions, letters and numbers are arranged in a particular order with
some underlying criterion. Study the pattern to find out the order and fill in the blanks from the given
alternatives.
1. 1K1, 2V2, 3G3, 4R4, 5C5, _____

(A) 6P6 (B) 6P7 (C) 6R4 (D) 6N6
2. 1P6, 2Y5, 3J6, 4W9, _____
(A) 4L6 (B) 6P4 (C) 6L4 (D) 6J4
3. 3F, 6G, 11I, 18L, _____

(A) 21O (B) 25N (C) 27P (D) 27Q
4. ZG 13 , _____, VM 17, TP 19
(A) YD7 (B) XJ15 (C) RS15 (D) QR21
5. L3T, _____, F8P, C12N

(A) H5R (B) I5Q (C) I4R (D) I5R
6. C4X, F9U, I16R, ______

(A) K25P (B) L25P (C) L25O (D) L25Q
7. KM5, IP8, GS11, EV14, _____

(A) BX17 (B) BY17 (C) CY17 (D) CY18
8. 4, A, 9, B, 16, C, 25, D, _____

(A) 9 (B) 10 (C) 12 (D) 36
9. 3K9, 6M7, 9P5, _____

(A) 9Q3 (B) 12R3 (C) 12T5 (D) 12T3
10. Q1F, S2E, U6D, W21C, _____

(A) Y66B (B) Y44B (C) Y88B (D) Z88B
MIXED SERIES
alternatives.
1. 36,34,30,28,24,?
(A) 20 (B) 23 (C) 22 (D) 26
2. 7,9,14,18,21,27,28,36,
(A) 35 (B) 34 (C) 32 (D) 29
CONTINOUS PATTERN SERIES
alternatives.
1. _ xy _ z _ xxyy _ _
(A) xyzzz (B) zzzyx (C) yxzzz (D) xxyyz
2. _ vwu _ _ uv _
(A) uvww (B) wwvu (C) vuww (D) wvwu
3. te _ t _ _ _ ea
(A) aeat (B) aeaa (C) aaet (D) teaa
4. t _ _ tt _ _ vv _ _ _ uuuvvv
(A) uvuuttt (B) tttuuvv (C) vvuuttt (D) None of these
5. k _ mn _ _ _ nkl _ n
(A) lklmm (B) mmllk (C) kllmm (D) lkmml
CORRESPONDENCE SERIES
Direction (1-3): In each of the following questions, three sequences of letters / numerals are given which
correspond to each other in some way. In each question, you have to find out the letters/numerals that
come in the vacant places marked by ‘?’. These are given as one of the four alternatives under the
question. Mark your answer as instructed.
1. C B _ _ D _ B A B C C B
_ _ 1 2 4 3 _ _ ? ? ? ?
a _ a b _ c _ b _ _ _ _
(A) 3,4,4,3 (B) 3,2,2,3 (C) 3,1,1, 3 (D) 1,4,4,1
2. _ A C _ B D _ C D C D _
2 _ 4 1 _ 1 4 _ _ _ _ 2
c d _ b c _ a ? ? ? ? c
(A) a,b,a,b (B) a,c,a,c (C) c,b,c,b (D) c,d,c,d
3. A _ B A C _ D _ B C D C
_ 3 _ 2 _ 1 _ 4 ? ? ? ?
D c _ _ b a c b _ _ _ _
(A) 1,3,4,3, (B) 1,4,3,4 (C) 2,3,4,3 (D) 3,4,1,4
KEY
NUMBER SERIES:
1. C 2. A 3. C 4. A 5. D
6. A 7. D 8. D 9. D 10. B
11. B 12. A 13. A 14. C 15. D
16. C 17. B 18. B 19. B 20. D
ALPHABET SERIES:
1. D 2. B 3. B 4. B 5. B
6. C 7. A 8. D 9. B 10. A
11. C 12. B 13. A 14. C 15. A
16. B 17. A 18. B 19. B 20. D
ALPHANUMERIC SERIES:
1. B 2. A 3. B 4. B 5. D
6. B 7. A 8. A 9. D 10. C
MIXED SERIES:
1. C 2. A
CONTINOUS PATTERN SERIES:

1. A 2. A 3. A 4. A 5. A
CORRESPONDENCE SERIES
1. C 2. A 3. B

Series Completion

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CHAPTER

Type #1: Number Series

Number series is a form of numbers in a certain sequence.

Hence number 15 is wrong and should be replaced by 17.

Prerequisite knowledge required

Types of Number Series

1: Perfect Square Series

Example 841, ?, 2401, 3481, 4761

2: Perfect Cube Series

3: Mixed Number Series

5: Alternate Primes Series

8: The difference between two numbers can be multiplied by a constant number.

14: Triangular Pattern Series.

Miscellaneous Series(Elementary Idea of Progressions)

1. Arithmetic Progression (A.P):

2. Geometric Progression (G.P):

Type :2 Alphabet Series

• Methods to Remember the Position of Letter in English Alphabet

1. By using EJOTY and CFILORUX formulae, we can easily remember the position of letters of English alphabet

Type -3 Alpha Numeric Series

Type-4 Mixed Series

A series formed with the combination of more than one series.

Hence, the missing term is V.

Example Z, L, X, J, V, H, T, F, _____, _____

Reverse Order Repetition Series

Hence, the missing term is LDP.

Type -5 Continuous Pattern Series

Type 6: Correspondence Series

1. 315, 317, 313, 315, 311, _____

2. 7, 9, 14, 18, 21, 27, 28, 36, _____

3. 14, 10, 32, 28, 58, 54, _____

5. 77, 88, 99, 777, 888, _____

6. 135, 169, 204, 240, _____

7. 20, 30, 130, 1130, _____

8. 216, 343, 512, 729, 1000, _____

9. 41, 47, 53, 59, 65, _____

10. 13, 14, 27, 41, 68, _____

12. 1, 1, 3, 9, 6, 36, 10, 100, _____, 225

13. 17, 19, 22, 27, 34, 45, _____.

14. 7, 28, 49, 70, 91, 112, _____.

15. 1, 3, 9, 33, 153, _____.

16. 972,324,108,36,12, _____

17. 5,6,10,19,35,60, _____

18. 10,30,68,130,222, _____

19. 4,2,2,3,6,15, _____

20. 2,3,10,39,172, _____

1. BMX, DNW, FOU, _____

2. MZ, AN, LY, BO, ______

3. ZXUQ, ACFJ, PNKG, KMPT, _____

4. AZ, CX, EV, GT, _____

5. DCXW, FEVU, HGTS, _____

6. F, HI, LMN, RSTU, _____

7. MHQ, NJT, OLW, _____

9. OTE, PUF, QVG, RWH, _____

1. 1K1, 2V2, 3G3, 4R4, 5C5, _____

3. 3F, 6G, 11I, 18L, _____

5. L3T, _____, F8P, C12N

6. C4X, F9U, I16R, ______

7. KM5, IP8, GS11, EV14, _____

8. 4, A, 9, B, 16, C, 25, D, _____

9. 3K9, 6M7, 9P5, _____

10. Q1F, S2E, U6D, W21C, _____

CONTINOUS PATTERN SERIES

Example Z, L, X, J, V, H, T, F, _, _