Module 1 · IBPS PO Reasoning Ability

Series & Analogy

Number series, alphabet series, word and letter analogies.

Number Series · Alphabet Series · Word Analogies · Letter Analogies

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Learning Objectives

Understand the fundamental concepts of Series & Analogy
Apply key formulas and techniques to solve problems
Practice with exam-level questions to build speed and accuracy

Key Concepts

What are Series and Analogy?

Series and Analogy questions in banking exams test your pattern recognition abilities. In series questions, you identify the next term or missing term in a sequence of letters or numbers based on a hidden rule. In analogy questions, you find the relationship between a pair and apply it to another pair. These questions are quick-scoring and appear in IBPS PO prelims.

Types of Series Questions

1. Letter Series: A sequence of letters is given with a pattern based on positional values (A=1 to Z=26). Patterns include addition/subtraction of fixed values, skipping letters, reversal, or a combination. Example: A, C, F, J, ? → A(+2)→C(+3)→F(+4)→J(+5)→O.

2. Number Series: A sequence of numbers follows a pattern — arithmetic progression, geometric progression, squares, cubes, prime numbers, Fibonacci, or mixed operations. Example: 2, 6, 12, 20, ? → 1×2, 2×3, 3×4, 4×5, 5×6 = 30.

3. Alpha-Numeric Series: Combination of letters and numbers with a pattern in both. Example: A1, C4, E9, G16, ? → Letters: A→C→E→G→I (+2 each). Numbers: 1,4,9,16,25 (squares). Next: I25.

Types of Analogy Questions

1. Word Analogy: Relationship between words — synonym, antonym, cause-effect, worker-tool, animal-young one, etc.

2. Letter Analogy: Based on positional values or alphabetical patterns. Example: ACE : FHJ :: MOQ : ?

3. Number Analogy: Based on arithmetic operations. Example: 4 : 20 :: 6 : ?

Solved Examples

Example 1 (Letter Series)

Find the next term: B, E, H, K, N, ?

a) O b) P c) Q d) R

Solution: c) Q. B=2, E=5, H=8, K=11, N=14. The pattern is +3 each step. Next = 14+3 = 17 → Q.

Example 2 (Number Analogy)

Find the missing term: 3 : 27 :: 5 : ?

a) 75 b) 125 c) 100 d) 150

Solution: b) 125. The relationship is n : n³. 3³ = 27. 5³ = 125.

Example 3 (Alpha-Numeric Series)

Find the next term: D3, G6, J9, M12, ?

a) P15 b) O15 c) P14 d) O14

Solution: a) P15. Letters: D→G→J→M→P (+3 each). Numbers: 3,6,9,12,15 (+3 each). Next: P15.

Shortcut Techniques

For letter series, convert letters to numbers (A=1 to Z=26) to see the arithmetic pattern clearly.
For number series, check differences first. If differences are constant, it's AP. If differences increase/decrease by a fixed amount, it's a quadratic pattern.
For analogies, identify the exact relationship — is it synonym, antonym, part-whole, cause-effect, or mathematical?
Practice with mixed patterns — some series combine two patterns alternatingly.

Pro Tip

In IBPS PO, series questions often have complex patterns like '+3, ×2, +3, ×2' or '×1+1, ×2+2, ×3+3'. Always check for alternate operation patterns when the simple ones don't work.

Advanced Problem Types

Competitive exams feature advanced variations combining multiple reasoning concepts. Master these to score high.

Multi-Step Problems

Some questions require applying multiple reasoning techniques sequentially. Break problems into clear steps.

Common Traps

Assuming a pattern continues without checking all elements
Misinterpreting negative statements in syllogisms
Forgetting wrapping in alphabet coding (Z to A transition)
Confusing directions (East vs West)
Overlooking either-or cases in syllogisms
Not considering all possible arrangements in puzzles

Pro Tip

For puzzles, start with the most concrete clue and build around it. Draw diagrams for seating arrangements and family trees for blood relations.

Advanced Problem Types

Competitive exams feature advanced variations combining multiple reasoning concepts. Master these to score high.

Multi-Step Problems

Some questions require applying multiple reasoning techniques sequentially. Break problems into clear steps.

Common Traps

Assuming a pattern continues without checking all elements
Misinterpreting negative statements in syllogisms
Forgetting wrapping in alphabet coding (Z to A transition)
Confusing directions (East vs West)
Overlooking either-or cases in syllogisms
Not considering all possible arrangements in puzzles

Pro Tip

For puzzles, start with the most concrete clue and build around it. Draw diagrams for seating arrangements and family trees for blood relations.

Advanced Problem Types

Competitive exams feature advanced variations combining multiple reasoning concepts. Master these to score high.

Multi-Step Problems

Some questions require applying multiple reasoning techniques sequentially. Break problems into clear steps.

Common Traps

Assuming a pattern continues without checking all elements
Misinterpreting negative statements in syllogisms
Forgetting wrapping in alphabet coding (Z to A transition)
Confusing directions (East vs West)
Overlooking either-or cases in syllogisms
Not considering all possible arrangements in puzzles

Pro Tip

For puzzles, start with the most concrete clue and build around it. Draw diagrams for seating arrangements and family trees for blood relations.

Advanced Problem Types

Competitive exams feature advanced variations combining multiple reasoning concepts. Master these to score high.

Multi-Step Problems

Some questions require applying multiple reasoning techniques sequentially. Break problems into clear steps.

Common Traps

Assuming a pattern continues without checking all elements
Misinterpreting negative statements in syllogisms
Forgetting wrapping in alphabet coding (Z to A transition)
Confusing directions (East vs West)
Overlooking either-or cases in syllogisms
Not considering all possible arrangements in puzzles

Pro Tip

For puzzles, start with the most concrete clue and build around it. Draw diagrams for seating arrangements and family trees for blood relations.

Practice Questions

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