Find the next term of the given alphanumeric series:
M1A, L4D, J9I, G16P, C25Y, ?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → X36J
Each term has three parts, and each part follows its own rule. The letters are read by their positions in the alphabet (A = 1, ... , Z = 26).
First letter: M (13), L (12), J (10), G (7), C (3) go back by 1, 2, 3, 4; the next step is back by 5
3 − 5 = −2: going back past A wraps round to the end, so C → B, A, Z, Y, X
Number: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 are the squares \(1^2,2^2,3^2,4^2,5^2\); the next is \(6^2=\) 36
Last letter: A (1), D (4), I (9), P (16), Y (25) stand at the square positions, the same squares as the numbers; the next is position 36
36 − 26 = 10, so after Z the count wraps round to the 10th letter, J