Mental Ability

CHAPTER 1 Series
This chapter consists of questions in which series of numbers or alphabetical letters or combinations of both are
given, which are generally called the terms of the series. These terms follow a certain pattern throughout the
series. The candidate is required to study the given series, identify the pattern followed in the series and either
complete the given series with the most suitable alternative or find the wrong term in the series.

1.1 Number series

Solved examples
Directions : Find the missing term in each of the following series.
E x . 1 1, 6, 15, ?, 45, 66, 91
(1) 25 (2) 26 (3) 27 (4) 28
S o l . Clearly, the given sequence follows the pattern : + 5, + 9, + 13, + 17, + 21, + 25, .....
Thus, 1 + 5 = 6, 6 + 9 = 15, .....
So, missing term = 15 + 13 = 28. Hence, the answer is (4).
E x . 2 2,5, 9, 19, 37, ?
(1) 73 (2) 75 (3) 76 (4) 78
S o l . Clearly, we have: 2 × 2 + 1 = 5, 5 × 2 – 1 = 9, 9 × 2 + 1 = 19, 19 × 2 – 1 = 37, .....
So, missing term = 37 × 2 + 1 = 75.
Hence, the answer is (2).
E x . 3 4, 8, 28, 80, 244, ?
(1) 278 (2) 428 (3) 628 (4) 728
S o l . The terms of the given series are: 31 + 1, 32 – 1, 33 + 1, 34 – 1, 35 + 1, .....
So, missing term = 36 – 1 = 729 – 1 = 728.
Hence, the answer is (4).
E x . 4 10000, 11000, 9900, 10890, 9801, ?
(1) 10241 (2) 10423 (3) 10781 (4) 10929
S o l . Clearly, alternately we add and subtract 10% of a term to obtain the next term of the series.
Thus, 10000 + (10% of 10000) = 11000; 11000 – (10% of 11000) = 9900,
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9900 + (10% of 9900) = 10890, 10890 – (10% of 10890) = 9801.

So, missing term = 9801 + (10% of 9801) = 9801 + 980.1 = 10781.1 Hence, the answer is (3).
E x . 5 0, 6, 24, 60, 120, 210, ?
(1) 240 (2) 290 (3) 336 (4) 504
S o l . Clearly, the given series is : 13 – 1, 23 – 2, 33 – 3, 43 – 4, 53 – 5, 63 – 6.
Missing term = 73 – 7 = 343 – 7 = 336.
Hence, the answer is (3).
E x . 6 1, 4, 27, 16, ?, 36, 343
(1) 25 (2) 87 (3) 120 (4) 125
S o l . Clearly, the given series consists of cubes of odd numbers and squares of even numbers,
i.e., 13, 22, 33 , 42, ..... .
So, missing term = 53 = 125. Hence, the answer is (4).

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Class X
E x . 7 4, 6, 12, 14, 28, 30, ?
(1) 32 (2) 60 (3) 62 (4) 64
S o l . The given sequence is a combination of two series:
(I) 4, 12, 28, ? and (II) 6, 14, 30, .....
Now, the pattern followed in each of the above two series is : + 8, + 16, + 32, .....
So, missing number = (28 + 32) = 60.
Hence, the answer is (2).
E x . 8 1,3,3, 6, 7, 9, ?, 12,21
(1) 10 (2) 11 (3) 12 (4) 13
S o l . Clearly, the given sequence is a combination of two series;
(I) 1, 3, 7, ?, 21 and (II) 3, 6, 9, 12
The pattern followed in I is + 2, + 4, ..... and the pattern followed in II is + 3.
So, missing number = 7 + 6 = 13.
Hence, the answer is (4).
1 3 5 7
E x . 9 Which fraction comes next in the sequence , , , ,?
2 4 8 16
9 10 11 12
(1) (2) (3) (4)
32 17 34 35
S o l . Clearly, the numerators of the fractions in the given sequence form the series 1, 3, 5, 7, in which each term is
obtained by adding 2 to the previous term.
The denominators of the fractions form the series 2, 4, 8, 16, i.e., 21, 22, 23, 24 .
So, the numerator of the next fraction will be (7 + 2) i.e. 9 and the denominator will be 25 i.e. 32.
9
Thus, the next term is . Hence, the answer is (1).
32

Directions : (Q. 1 to Q.33) :In each of the following questions, a number series is given with one term missing.
Choose the correct alternative that will continue the same pattern and replace the question mark in the given series.
1. 120, 99, 80, 63, 48, ?
(1) 35 (2) 38 (3) 39 (4) 40
2. 4832, 5840, 6848, ?
(1) 7815 (2) 7846 (3) 7856 (4) 7887
3. 0, 2, 8, 14, ?, 34
(1) 20 (2) 23 (3) 24 (4) 25
4. 125, 80, 45, 20, ?
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(1) 5 (2) 8 (3) 10 (4) 12

5. 2, 15, 41, 80, ?
(1) 111 (2) 120 (3) 121 (4) 132
6. 325, 259, 204, 160, 127, 105, ?
(1) 94 (2) 96 (3) 98 (4) 100
7. 0.5, 0.55, 0.65, 0.8, ?
(1) 0.9 (2) 0.82 (3) 1 (4) 0.95
8. 4, 9, 25, ?, 121, 169, 289, 361
(1) 49 (2) 64 (3) 81 (4) 87
9. 1, 1, 2, 6, 24, ?, 720
(1) 100 (2) 104 (3) 108 (4) 120

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 Mental Ability
10. 4, 10, 28, 82 ?
(1) 262 (2) 284 (3) 244 (4) 168
11. 13, 32, 24, 43, 35, ?, 46, 65, 57, 76
(1) 45 (2) 52 (3) 54 (4) 55
12. 0, 4, 6, 3, 7, 9, 6, ?, 12
(1) 8 (2) 10 (3) 11 (4) 14
13. 2, 1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 10, 11, ?
(1) 9 (2) 10 (3) 11 (4) 12
14. 8, 9, 8, 7, 10, 9, 6, 11, 10, ?, 12
(1) 5 (2) 7 (3) 8 (4) 11
15. 90, 180, 12, 24, 100, 200, ?, 300, 50, 100, 25, 50, 6, 12
(1) 150 (2) 175 (3) 225 (4) 250
16. 27, 31, 41, 63, 109, 203, ?
(1) 406 (2) 367 (3) 383 (4) 393
17. 55, 168, 57, 120, 60, 80, 62, 48, 65, 24, ?, ?
(1) 69, 11 (2) 67, 8 (3) 8, 71 (4) 6, 72
18. 3, 5, 6, 10, 9, 15, 12, ?, ?
(1) 18, 18 (2) 15, 20 (3) 15, 18 (4) 20, 15
19. 5, 11, 17, 25, 33, 43, (?)
(1) 49 (2) 51 (3) 52 (4) 53
20. 1, 3, 4, 8, 15, 27, (?)
(1) 37 (2) 44 (3) 50 (4) 55
21. 97, 86, 73, 58, 45, (?)
(1) 34 (2) 54 (3) 55 (4) 56

2 3 4 5
22. , , , ,?
5 5 5 5 25

6 6 6 7
(1) (2) (3) (4)
5 5 25 5 125 25

1 1 2 2
23. 11 , 12 , 14 , 16 , ?
9 2 7 3
1 1 1
(1) 8 (2) 19 (3) 20 (4) 22
3 2 3
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24. 300, 303, 294, 298, 282, 287, ?

(1) 262 (2) 272 (3) 312 (4) 302
25. 1, 0, 5, 8, 17, 25, 37, ?
(1) 43 (2) 48 (3) 40 (4) 47
26. 0, 2, 2, 3, 3, 5, 8, 4, 10, ?
(1) 6 (2) 7 (3) 9 (4) 15
27. 4, 3, 5, 6, 8, 7, 11, 10, 12, 13, ?
(1) 14 (2) 13 (3) 15 (4) 17
28. 0, 2, 6, 6, 12, 10, ?
(1) 12 (2) 14 (3) 15 (4) 18
29. 1, 2, 3, 5, 4, 5, 9, 14, 13, 14, 27, ?
(1) 40 (2) 41 (3) 80 (4) 82
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Class X
1 1 1 1
30. , , , ,?
81 54 36 24
1 1 1 1
(1) (2) (3) (4)
32 9 16 18
31. 17, 19, 15, 23, 7, 39, ?
(1) 18 (2) 9 (3) –25 (4) 25
32. 3, 5, 5, 19, 7, 41, 9, ?
(1) 69 (2) 72 (3) 63 (4) 62
33. 0, 2, 6, ?, 20, 30, ?
(1) 8, 42 (2) 10, 42 (3) 12, 40 (4) 14, 56
34. 3, 4, 10, 33, 136, ?
(1) 240 (2) 430 (3) 685 (4) 820
35. 0, 5, 22, 57, 116, ?
(1) 205 (2) 216 (3) 192 (4) 207
Direction (Q. 36 to Q.40): In each of the following questions, a number series is given, After the series, a
number is given followed by (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E). You have to complete the series starting with the number on
the pattern of the sequence of the given series. Then, answer the given questions.
36. 80, 50, 130, 100, 180, 150, 230
900, (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
Which number will come in place of (C) ?
(1) 1050 (2) 920 (3) 1000 (4) 950
37. 4, 14, 42, 147, 588, 2058, 10290
8, (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
Which number will come in place of (C) ?
(1) 28 (2) 1176 (3) 294 (4) 216
38. 25, 194, 73, 154, 105
14, (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
Which number will come in place of (E) ?
(1) 120 (2) 116 (3) 119 (4) 202
39. 6, 8, 20, 36, 76
20, (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
Which number will come in place of (C) ?
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(1) 148 (2) 130 (3) 136 (4) 140

40. 3, 4, 10, 33, 136
7, (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
Which number will come in place of (E) ?
(1) 1160 (2) 920 (3) 1165 (4) 840

ANSWERS
Qu e. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans . 1 3 3 1 4 1 3 1 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 4 2 4 4 3
Qu e. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Ans . 1 2 3 1 2 4 3 4 2 3 3 3 2 3 1 2 3 3 1 3

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 Mental Ability

EXERCISE - 2
Direction : One term in the series is wrong. Find the wrong term.
1. 2, 11, 38, 197, 1172, 8227, 65806
(1) 11 (2) 38 (3) 197 (4) 1172
2. 20, 24, 40, 76, 150, 240
(1) 20 (2) 40 (3) 76 (4) 150
3. 696, 340, 168, 80, 36, 14, 3
(1) 168 (2) 36 (3) 696 (4) 340
4. 8, 14, 26, 48, 98, 194, 386
(1) 14 (2) 48 (3) 98 (4) 194
5. 10, 26, 74, 218, 654, 1946, 5834
(1) 26 (2) 74 (3) 218 (4) 654
6. 1, 3, 10, 21, 64, 129, 356, 777
(1) 21 (2) 129 (3) 10 (4) 356
7. 3, 4, 10, 32, 136, 685, 4116
(1) 10 (2) 32 (3) 136 (4) 4116
8. 2, 6, 24, 96, 285, 568, 567
(1) 6 (2) 24 (3) 285 (4) 567
9. 445, 221, 109, 46, 25, 11, 4
(1) 25 (2) 46 (3) 109 (4) 221
10. 3, 2, 8, 9, 13, 22, 18, 32, 23, 42
(1) 8 (2) 9 (3) 13 (4) 22
11. 2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 16
(1) 3 (2) 6 (3) 9 (4) 12
12. 24, 60, 120, 210, 336, 492
(1) 60 (2) 336 (3) 210 (4) 24
13. 4, 26, 163, 1149, 9201, 82809
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(1) 26 (2) 163 (3) 82809 (4) 9201

14. 4, 39, 269, 1605, 8009, 32011
(1) 4 (2) 39 (3) 269 (4) 1005
15. 28, 84, 112, 196, 308, 504, 872
(1) 112 (2) 196 (3) 308 (4) 872
16. 14, 20, 369, 1288, 12961, 155432
(1) 14 (2) 20 (3) 369 (4) 1288
17. 14400, 7200, 4800, 3600, 2800, 2400
(1) 7200 (2) 4800 (3) 2800 (4) 2400

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Class X
18. 300, 421, 592, 815, 1104, 1465
(1) 421 (2) 1104 (3) 815 (4) 592
19. 0, 8, 7, 16, 14, 24, 22, 32
(1) 22 (2) 14 (3) 24 (4) 32
20. 1, 11, 22, 34, 47, 61, 76, 93
(1) 93 (2) 1 (3) 34 (4) 76
21. 8, 4, 4, 6, 12, 28, 90
(1) 8 (2) 4 (3) 12 (4) 28
22. 17, 17.25, 18.25, 20.75, 24.5, 30.75
(1) 30.75 (2) 24.5 (3) 20.75 (4) None of these
23. 438, 487, 447, 476, 460, 469
(1) 447 (2) 438 (3) 476 (4) 469
24. 2, 7, 18, 45, 99, 209, 431
(1) 2 (2) 7 (3) 209 (4) None of these
25. 6,8, 10, 42, 146, 770, 4578
(1) 8 (2) 6 (3) 146 (4) 770

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ANSWERS
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. 4 4 4 2 4 4 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 1 4 3 3 4 1 1
Que. 21 22 23 24 25
Ans. 3 3 1 4 3

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 Mental Ability

1.2 Alphabet series

In this type of questions, a series of single, pairs or groups of letters or combinations of letters and numerals is
given. The terms of the series form a certain pattern as regards the position of the letters in the English
alphabet. The candidate is required to decipher this pattern and accordingly find the missing term or the wrong
term in the given series.

Solved examples
E x . 1 Find the next two terms in the series: A, C, F, J, ?, ?
(1) L, P (2) M,O (3) O, U (4) R, V
Sol. Clearly, the first, second, third, ..... letters of the series are respectively moved two, three, four, ..... steps forward to obtain
the successive terms of the series.
Thus, the fifth term in the series must be a letter which is five steps ahead of J i.e. O, while the sixth term must
be a letter six steps ahead of O i.e. U.
Thus, we have the following pattern :

2 3 4 5 6
A C F J O U
So, the missing terms are O and U. Hence, the answer is (3).
E x . 2 Which term comes next in the sequence: AC, FH, KM, PR, ?
(1) UW (2) VW (3) UX (4) TV
S o l . Clearly, the first and second letters of each term are moved five steps forward to obtain the corresponding
letters of the next term.
Thus, the first letter of the missing term must be five steps ahead of P i.e. U, while the second letter must be five
steps ahead of R i.e. W.
So, the missing term is UW. Hence, the answer is (1).
E x . 3 Find the next term in the series : BMO, EOQ, HQS, ?
(1) KSU (2) LMN (3) SOV (4) SOW
S o l . Clearly, we observe the following pattern :
3 3 3
The first letters follow the pattern + 3 i.e. B E H K

2 2 2
The second letters follow the pattern + 2 i.e. M O Q S

2 2 2
The third letters follow the pattern + 2 i.e. O Q S U
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Thus, the missing term is KSU. Hence, the answer is (1).

E x . 4 Which term comes next in the series: YEB, WFD, UHG, SKI, ?
(1) QOL (2) QGL (3) TOL (4) QNL
S o l . Clearly, we observe the following pattern in the first, second and third letters of the given series:

1st letter : Y –2 W –2 U –2 S –2
Q

1 2 3 4
2nd letter : E F H K O

2 3 2 3
3rd letter : B D G I L
Thus, the missing term is QOL. Hence, the answer is (1).

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Class X
E x . 5 Which term will replace the question mark in the series:

ABD, DGK, HMS, MTB, SBL, ?

(1) ZKU (2) ZKW (3) ZAB (4) XKW

S o l . Clearly, the individual letters of the terms of the given series follow the pattern shown below:

3 4 5 6 7
1st letter : A D H M S Z

5 6 7 8 9
2nd letter : B G M T B K

7 8 9 10 11
3rd letter : D K S B L W

Thus, the missing term is ZKW. Hence, the answer is (2).

EXERCISE
Directions (Q. 1 to Q.32) : In each of the following questions, various terms of an alphabet series are given
with one or more terms missing as shown by (?). Choose the missing terms out of the given alternatives.
1. R, U, X, A, D, ?

(1) F (2) G (3) H (4) I

2. T, R, P, N, L, ?, ?

(1) J, G (2) J, H (3) K, H (4) K, I

3. U, B, I, P, W, ?

(1) D (2) F (3) Q (4) Z

4. H, I, K, N,?

(1) O (2) Q (3) R (4) S

5. Z, ?, T, ?, N, ?, H, ?, B

(1) W, Q, K, E (2) W, R, K, E (3) X, Q, K, E (4) X, R, K, E

6. A, G, L, P, S,?

(1) U (2) W (3) X (4) Y

7. A, D, H, M, ?, Z
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(1) T (2) G (C )N (4) S

8. A, I, P, V, A, E, ?
(1) E (2) F (3) G (4) H
9. Z, U, Q,?, L

(1) I (2) K (3) M (4) N

10. Z, W, S, P, L, I, E,?

(1) B (2) D (3) F (4) K

11. Z, Y, X, U, T, S, P, O, N, K, ?, ?

(1) H,G (2) H, I (3) I, H (4) J, I

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 Mental Ability
12. Y, W, T, P, K, E, X, ?, ?

(1) G,H (2) P,G (3) R,G (4) S, R

13. Z, X, S, I, R, R, ?, ?

(1) G, I (2) J, I (3) J, K (4) K,M

14. A, B, B, D, C, F, D, H, E,?,?

(1) E, F (2) F,G (3) F, I (4) J, F

15. C, Z, F, X, I, V, L, T, O, ?, ?

(1) O,P (2) P,Q (3) R, R (4) S, R

16. M, N, O, L, R, I, V, ?

(1) A (2) E (3) F (4) H

17. Z, S, W, O, T, K, Q, G, ?, ?

(1) N, C (2) N,D (3) O, C (4) O,D

18. bedf?hj?l

(1) i m (2) m i (3) i n (4) j m

19. AB, DEF, HIJK, ?, STUVWX

(1) LMNO (2) LMNOP (3) MNOPQ (4) QRSTU

20. AI, BJ, CK, ?

(1) DL (2) DM (3) GH (4) LM

21. GH, JL, NQ, SW, YD, ?

(1) EJ (2) FJ (3) EL (4) FL

22. ajs, gpy, ?, sbk, yhq

(1) dmv (2) mve (3) oua (4) qzi

23. PMT, OOS, NQR, MSQ, ?

(1) LUP (2) LVP (3) LVR (4) LWP

24. GPW, GPUW, GIPUW, GIPSUW, ?

Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\10th\Advance\CCP\Mental Ability-1\01 Series.p65

(1) GIHPSUW (2) GIPQSUW (3) GIKPSUW (4) GIJPSUV

25. UPI, ?, ODP, MBQ, IAW

(1) RHJ (2) SHJ (3) SIJ (4) THK

26. A, CD, GHI, ?, UVWXY

(1) LMNO (2) MNO (3) MNOP (4) NOPQ

27. PERPENDICULAR, ERPENDICULA, RPENDICUL, ?

(1) PENDICUL (2) PENDIC (3) ENDIC (4) None of these

28. U, F, Q, J, M, N, ?, ?

(1) J, Q (2) I, Q (3) I, R (4) O, L

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Class X
29. A, D, E, H, I, L ?
(1) MP (2) MN (3) NQ (4) MO
30. OMWI, MPSN, KSOS, IVKX, ?

(1) HXFB (2) GYGC (3) FNID (4) FZHD

31. Z, Y, A, W, V, C, T, S, E, Q, P, ? , ?
(1) M,N (2) E,M (3) G,N (4) O,N
32. MAZNLBYOKCXPJ??
(1) QW (2) QY (3) DW (4) YJ
33. DFK, FEL, HDM, JCN, ?
(1) KBN (2) KBO (3) LBO (4) LBN
34. JXG, HTJ, FPN, ?, BHY
(1) EKS (2) ELS (3) DLR (4) DLS
35. Consider the following series:

A B C D .... X Y Z | Y X .... B A | B C D .... Y Z | Y X .... C B A | B C .... Y Z ...

Which letter occupies the 1000th position in the above series?

(1) B (2) C (3) X (4) Y

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ANSWERS
Qu e. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
An s . 2 2 1 3 1 1 4 4 4 1 4 2 1 4 3 2 1 1 3 1
Qu e. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
An s . 4 2 1 3 2 3 4 3 1 2 3 3 3 4 1

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 Mental Ability

1.3 Alpha-numeric series

This type of questions is just a jumbled form of questions of Type I and Type II, which you have just read. Here,
the terms of the given series are a combination of letters and numerals, which move according to a set pattern.

Study the following examples:

Solved examples

Ex.1 Find the next term in the alpha-numeric serie s :

Z1A, X2D, V6G, T21J, R88M, P445P, ?

(1) N26 76S

(2) N 2676T

(3) T 2670N

(4) T 2676N

S o l . Clearly, the patterns followed by the letters are as follows:

1st letter : Z –2 X –2 V –2 T –2 R –2 P –2
N

3 3 3 3 3 3
2nd letter: A D G J M P S

The series formed by the numerals i.e. 1,2,6,21,88,445, ..... follows the pattern × 1 + I, × 2 + 2, × 3 + 3, × 4

+ 4, × 5 + 5, .....

So, numeral in the desired term = 445 x 6 + 6 = 2676.

Hence, desired term is N2676S.

So, the answer is (1).

E x . 2 Find the term which does not fit into the series given below :
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G4T, J10R, M20P, P43N, S90L

(1) G4T (2) J 10R (3) M 20P (4) P 43N

S o l . The patterns followed by the letters are:

3 3 3 3
1st letter : G J M P S

3rd letter : T –2 R –2 P –2 N –2 L

The number-series 4, 10, 20, 43, 90 should follow the pattern × 2 + 1, × 2 + 2, × 2 + 3, × 2 + 4.

So, 10 is wrong and must be replaced by (4 × 2 + 1) i.e. 9.

Thus, the term J10R does not fit in the given series. The correct term is J9R. Hence, the answer is (2).

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Class X

EXERCISE
Directions : In each of the following questions, a letter-number series is given with one or more terms missing
as shown by (?). Choose the missing term out of the given alternatives.

1. D-4, F-6, H-8, J-10, ?, ?

(1) K-12, M-13 (2) L-12, M-14 (3) L-12, N-14 (4) K-12, M-14

2. 2B, 4C, 8E, 14H, ?

(1) 16K (2) 20I (3) 20L (4) 22L

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

(1) 21O (2) 25N (3) 25P (4) 27P

4. W-144, ?, S-100, Q-81, O-64

(1) U-121 (2) U-122 (3) V-121 (4) V-128

5. 2, A, 9, B, 6, C,13, D,?

(1) 9 (2) 10 (3) 12 (4) 19

6. KM5, IP8, GS11, EV14, ?

(1) BX17 (2) BY17 (3) CY17 (4) CY18

7. C4X, F9U, I16R, ?

(1) K25P (2) L25P (3) L25O (4) L27P

8. 2Z5, 7Y7, 14X9, 23W11, 34V13, ?

(1) 27U24 (2) 45U15 (3) 47U15 (4) 47V14

9. N5V, K7T, ?, E14P, B19N

(1) H9R (2) H10Q (3) H10R (4) I10R

10. Q1F, S2E, U6D, W21C, ?

(1) Y44B (2) Y66B (3) Y88B (4) Z88B

Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\10th\Advance\CCP\Mental Ability-1\01 Series.p65

ANSWERS
Qu e. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
An s . 3 4 4 1 2 3 3 3 3 3

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 Mental Ability

1.4 Continuous pattern series

This type of questions usually consists of a series of small letters which follow a certain pattern. However, some
letters are missing from the series. These missing letters are then given in a proper sequence as one of the
alternatives. The candidate is required to choose this alternative as the answer.

Solved examples
Ex . aab _ aaa _ bba _
(1) baa (2) abb (3) bab (4) aab
S o l . We proceed step by step as shown below:
1. The first blank space should be filled in by 'b' so that we have two a's followed by two b's.
2. The second blank space should be filled in either by 'a' so that we have four a's followed by two b's, or 'b' so that
we have three a's followed by three b's.
3. The last space must be filled in by 'a'.
4. Thus, we have two possible answers: 'baa' and 'bba'. But, only 'baa' appears in the alternatives. So, the answer is (1).
5. In case, we had both the possible answers in the alternatives, we would have chosen the one that forms a more
prominent pattern, which is aabb/aaabbb/aa. Thus, our answer would have been 'bba'.

EXERCISE
Directions : In each of the following letter series, some of the letters are missing which are given in that order
as one of the alternatives below it. Choose the correct alternative.
1. _ _ aba _ _ ba _ ab
(1) abbba (2) abbab (3) baabb (4) bbaba
2. ab _ _ baa _ _ ab _
(1) aaaaa (2) aabaa (3) aabab (4) baabb
3. m _ nm _ n _ an _ a _ ma _
(1) aamnan (2) ammanm (3) aammnn (4) amammn
4. a _ ba _ b _ b _ a _ b
(1) abaab (2) abbab (3) aabba (4) bbabb
5. _ stt _ tt _ tts _
(1) tsts (2) ttst (3) sstt (4) tsst
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\10th\Advance\CCP\Mental Ability-1\01 Series.p65

6. _ op _ mo _ n _ _ pnmop _
(1) mnpmon (2) mpnmop (3) mnompn (4) mnpomn
7. _ nmmn _ mmnn _ mnnm_
(1) nmmn (2) mnnm (3) nnmm (4) nmnm
8. _ tu _ rt _ s _ _ usrtu _
(1) rtusru (2) rsutrr (3) rsurtr (4) rsurts
9. ba _ cb _ b _ bab_
(1) acbb (2) bacc (3) bcaa (4) cabb
10. bca _ b _ aabc _ a _ caa
(1) acab (2) bcbb (3) cbab (4) ccab

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Class X
11. _ aa _ ba _ bb _ ab _ aab
(1) aaabb (2) babab (3) bbaab (4) bbbaa
12. ab _ d _ aaba _ na _ badna _ b
(1) andaa (2) babda (3) badna (4) dbanb
13. a _ n _ b _ _ ncb _ _ ncb
(1) abbbcc (2) abcbcb (3) bacbab (4) bcabab
14. gfe _ ig _ eii _ fei _ gf _ ii
(1) eifgi (2) figie (3) ifgie (4) ifige
15. a _ bbc _ aab _ cca _ bbcc
(1) bacb (2) acba (3) abba (4) caba
16. c _ bbb _ _ abbbb _ abbb_
(1) aabcb (2) abccb (3) abacb (4) bacbb
17. c _ bba _ cab _ ac _ ab _ ac
(1) abcbc (2) acbcb (3) babcc (4) bcacb
18. cccbb _ aa _ cc _ bbbaa _ c
(1) acbc (2) baca (3) baba (4) acba
19. _ a _ b _ abaa _ bab _ abb
(1) aaabb (2) ababb (3) babab (4) babba
20. ac _ cab _ baca _ aba _ acac
(1) aacb (2) acbc (3) babb (4) bcbb
21. a_bbc_aab_aaa_bba_
(1) cabaa (2) bacba (3) bbaaa (4) aabba
22. nc_dcn_cddc_n_ddcnn_d
(1) cdndc (2) dnncc (3) dcndd (4) nccdn
23. aac_bba_cc_baa_cb_
(1) acbac (2) bacbc (3) abaac (4) cabcb
24. aba_bca_ac_cab_cbc
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\10th\Advance\CCP\Mental Ability-1\01 Series.p65

(1) bbbb (2) ccba (3) cbba (4) caac

25. a_bbaa_baa_baab_aabb
(1) abab (2) baba (3) abbb (4) bbaa
26. a_bc_aab_ccaa_bcc_ab
(1) abcca (2) aacbc (3) bacab (4) bcbba
27. a_bb_bba_bbb_aa_
(1) aabba (2) bbaab (3) abaaad (4) baabb
28. _aba_cabc_dcba_bab_a
(1) abdca (2) bcadc (3) abcdd (4) bbdac

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 Mental Ability
29. a_cdaab_cc_daa_bbb_ccddd
(1) bdbda (2) bddca (3) dbbca (4) bbdac
30. a_abbb_ccccd_ddccc_bb_ba
(1) abcda (2) abdbc (3) abdcb (4) abcad
31. _bcdbc_dcabd_bcdbc_dc_bd
(1) aaaaa (2) ccccc (3) bbbbb (4) ddddd
32. - sr - tr - srs - r - srst -
(1) ttssrr (2) tsrtsr (3) strtrs (4) tstttr
33. b - a - aab - ab - -
(1) aabba (2) abaaa (3) ababa (4) babab
34. bcc - bc - abcc - b - ca
(1) acab (2) babc (3) acac (4) baab
35. a - ab - bcbc - caca -
(1) ccba (2) acba (3) bccb (4) bcab
36. ane_ba_ebb_neb_an_bb
(1) ebbab (2) bbabe (3) nbeba (4) bnabe
37. c_ac_aa_aa_bc_b
(1) c a b b a (2) c c b b b (3) b b b b b (4) c b a c b
38. b_ac_cc_cb_ab_ac
(1) c b a b a (2) b b a a c (3) a b b b c (4) a a b b a
Directions (Q. 39 & Q.40): 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.

39. C B _ _ D _ B A B C C B
_ _ 1 2 4 3 _ _ ? ? ? ?
a _ a b _ c _ b _ _ _ _

(1) 3, 4, 4, 3 (2) 3, 2, 2, 3 (3) 3, 1, 1, 3 (4) 1, 4, 4, 1

Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\10th\Advance\CCP\Mental Ability-1\01 Series.p65

40. _ A C _ B D _ C D C D
2 _ 4 1 _ 1 4 _ _ _ _
c d _ b c _ a ? ? ? ?

(1) a, b, a, b (2) a, c, a, c (3) c, b, c, b (4) c, d, c, d

ANSWERS
Qu e. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
An s . 2 2 3 4 4 1 3 4 2 1 3 1 4 3 2 2 2 2 4 1
Qu e. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
An s . 1 2 4 3 3 4 4 1 4 3 1 4 2 3 4 4 2 4 3 1

15
Class X

EXERCISE
QUESTIONS RELATED TO VARIOUS OLYMPIADS
Directions (Q.1 to Q.3) : In each of the following three questions a series of numbers/alphabets is given
which follows certain rules. One of the numbers/alphabets is missing. Choose the missing number/alphabets
from the alternatives given below.
1. 284, 140, 68, ?
(1) 70 (2) 34 (3) 32 (4) 60
2. 17496, 1944, 216, ?
(1) 20 (2) 18 (3) 24 (4) 22
3. AXB, BWD, CVF, DUH, ?
(1) ETJ (2) ETK (3) ERS (4) ERJ
4. What should come in place of the question mark in the following number series?
6 7 16 51 208 ? 6276
(1) 1045 (2) 941 (3) 836 (4) 1254
5. What is the first term in the exponential sequence below?
{_, _, _, 81, 243, 729, .......}
(1) 1 (2) 3 (3) 9 (4) 27
6. In the given series one term is missing. Choose the correct alternative that will continue the same pattern.
0, 2, 8, 14, (.....), 34
(1) 24 (2) 22 (3) 20 (4) 18
7. In the series given below, one term is wrong. Find out the wrong term.
5, 10, 40, 80, 320, 550, 2560
(1) 80 (2) 320 (3) 550 (4) 2560
8. Complete the given series: 23, 48, 99, 203, 413, __?__
(1) 927 (2) 837 (3) 937 (4) 437
9. Find out the wrong term in the given number series.
1236, 2346, 3456, 4566, 5686
(1) 1236 (2) 3456 (3) 4566 (4) 5686
10. In the following question, one set of letters, when sequentially placed at the gaps in the given letter series,
shall complete it. Identify that set.
ab _ ab _ ab abb _ b _ ab
(1) baaa (2) abbb (3) aaab (4) baab
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\10th\Advance\CCP\Mental Ability-1\01 Series.p65

11. In the following number series, one number does not follow the pattern of the series. Find the wrong number
297, 272, 245, 216, 185, 153, 117
(1) 117 (2) 153 (3) 185 (4) 216
Direction (Q.12 &Q.13) : The following questions are based on letters sequence. In each sequence some
letters are missing. Find the correct alternative in each question to fill the blanks.
12. n_mn_mm_nm_n
(1) n m m n (2) m n n m
(3) n n m m (4) m m n m
13. ba_bb_a_b_a_
(1) b a a b a (2) a b a a b (3) a a b a b (4) b b a b a

16
 Mental Ability
Directions : (Q.14 to Q.29) :In each of the following questions, a number series is given with one term
missing. Choose the correct alternative that will continue the same pattern and replace the question mark in the
given series.
14. 6,20,36,48,50, ..?..... ,0
(1) 36 (2) 40 (3) 46 (4) 56
15. 7,15,28,59,114, …..?.....
(1) 243 (2) 233 (3) 213 (4) 223
16. 25,49,89,145,217, ..?...
(1) 305 (2) 327 (3) 309 (4) 303
17. 0,2,2,3,3,5,8,4,10 ,..?...,5, 17
(1) 6 (2) 7 (3) 9 (4) 15
18. 5,10,17,26,37,50, ….?.....
(1) 70 (2) 66 (3) 65 (4) 64
19. 6,25,62 123, …?...., 341
(1) 216 (2) 214 (3) 215 (4) 217
20. 5,3,10,8,17,15, …?.... ,24
(1) 26 (2) 27 (3) 29 (4) 36
21. 2,6,12,20,30, ..?...
(1) 40 (2) 42 (3) 44 (4) 46
22. 1,2,9,4,25,6,………………
(1) 49 (2) 8 (3) 36 (4) 10
23. 65,48,64,49,63,……..?.........
(1) 53 (2) 52 (3) 51 (4) 50
24. 7,23,…?....,79,119.
(1) 47 (2) 49 (3) 44 (4) 46
25. 16,8,12,…?.....,105.
(1) 6 (2) 30 (3) 24 (4) 35
26. 748,737,716,685,644,...?....
(1) 634 (2) 643 (3) 503 (4) 593
27. 2,30,6,20,12,12, …?.......
(1) 26 (2) 22 (3) 20 (4) 24
28. 0,3,9,18,30,…?....
(1) 48 (2) 42 (3) 36 (4) 45
29. 6,9,18,21,30,..?.....
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\10th\Advance\CCP\Mental Ability-1\01 Series.p65

(1) 38 (2) 33 (3) 36 (4) 39

Directions (Q. 30 to Q.38) : In each of the following questions, various terms of an alphabet series are given
with one or more terms missing as shown by (?). Choose the missing terms out of the given alternatives.
30. BEG,DGI,FIK,HKM, …?....
(1) JMO (2) KMO (3) JML (4) JNP
31. KEM,IDL,GCK, …?..., CAI
(1) ECJ (2) EBK (3) FBJ (4) EBJ
32. JCME,LDOG,NEQI, …?....
(1) PFSJ (2) PESI (3) PESK (4) PFSK
33. A,F,J,M,…………………….
(1) O (2) N (3) Q (4) P

17
Class X
34. BD,HJ,NP,…?…,ZB
(1) QS (2) TV (3) YC (4)TU
35. FOX,IQV,LST,OUR,…..?.....
(1) RPW (2) RWP (3) QVS (4) SXU
36. qpo, nml, …?....
(1) ghf (2) ijk (3) kji (4) hgj
3 7 . 3 . P3,…?....,J9,G12,D15
(1) K6 (2) M6 (3) M8 (4) L8
38. BDF,CFI,DHL,………………….
(1) CJM (2) EIM (3) EJO (4) EMI
Direction (Q.39 &Q.40) : The following questions are based on letters sequence. In each sequence some
letters are missing. Find the correct alternative in each question to fill the blanks.
39. abb _ _ ab _ b _ bba _ a
(1) bbbab (2) babba (3) abaab (4) bbabb
40. b _ a _ bab _ ab _ a
(1) baba (2) babb (3) abab (4) abba

Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\10th\Advance\CCP\Mental Ability-1\01 Series.p65

ANSWERS
Qu e. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
An s . 3 3 1 1 2 1 3 2 4 1
Q u e. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
An s . 2 2 3 1 2 1 4 3 2 1
Q u e. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
An s . 2 1 4 1 2 4 3 4 2 1
Q u e. 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
An s . 4 4 1 2 2 3 2 3 1 3

18