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What should come in place of the question mark (?) in the given series based on the English alphabetical order? HIE DEA ZAW VWS ?
RTN
RRN
RSO
RSU
RSO
Observe each character position individually across terms: the first letter decreases by 2, the second by 2, and the third by 3.
Observe each character position individually across terms: the first letter decreases by 2, the second by 2, and the third by 3.
Analyze the first letter of each cluster
H (8), D (4), Z (26), V (22). The pattern is -4, -4, -4. V(22) - 4 = 18 which is R.
Analyze the second letter of each cluster
I (9), E (5), A (1), W (23). The pattern is -4, -4, -4. W(23) - 4 = 19 which is S.
Analyze the third letter of each cluster
E (5), A (1), W (23), S (19). The pattern is -4, -4, -4. S(19) - 4 = 15 which is O.
A: RTN is incorrect because the second letter should be S and third letter O, B: RRN is incorrect because the second letter is R, D: RSU is incorrect because the second letter is S but the third letter is U instead of O.
C is correct because the pattern for each of the three positions in the cluster follows a constant decrement of 4 letters in the reverse alphabetical direction.
For alphabetical series, always convert letters to their numerical positions (A=1, B=2, Z=26) to instantly spot arithmetic progressions.