In each of the following questions, a group of three numbers/symbols is given in each option. Identify the group that does NOT follow the same pattern as the others.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Pattern: Each valid group has three consecutive letters and three consecutive numbers (order/arrangement doesn't matter, just needs to be a consecutive set).
- Option 1: Letters {W, X, Y} → consecutive ✓ | Numbers {2, 3, 4} → consecutive ✓
- Option 2: Letters {U, V, W} → consecutive ✓ | Numbers {4, 5, 6} → consecutive ✓
- Option 3: Letters {R, S, T} → consecutive ✓ | Numbers {7, 8, 9} → consecutive ✓
- Option 4: Letters {J, O, P} → NOT consecutive (J is far from O, P) ✗ | Numbers {8, 10, 16} → NOT consecutive ✗
Correct Answer: Option 4 (J10# : P16@ : O8$) — it breaks both the consecutive-letter and consecutive-number pattern that the other three options follow.