Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal – Series with Secret Concept.

Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal – Series with Secret Concept.

 Verbal Reasoning – Number & Alphabet Series (Secret Concepts) – R.S. Aggarwal

Series-based questions are commonly asked in reasoning exams. These involve finding hidden patterns in numbers or alphabets. Let’s break down the secret concepts behind these series and how to solve them quickly.

 Types of Series in Verbal Reasoning

 Number Series (Mathematical Pattern)

In this type, numbers follow a specific addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or square/cube pattern.

Example 1: Find the missing number:
2, 6, 12, 20, ?, 42

Solution:
Pattern: n² + n

• 1² + 1 = 2
• 2² + 2 = 6
• 3² + 3 = 12
• 4² + 4 = 20
• 5² + 5 = 30  (Answer)
• 6² + 6 = 42

Secret Concept: Use n², n³, prime numbers, alternate patterns, or arithmetic sequences.

 Alphabet Series (Letter Shifting)

In this type, letters follow a forward (+) or backward (-) shift.

Example 2: Find the missing letter:
A, C, F, J, O, ?

Solution:
Pattern: +2, +3, +4, +5, …

• A → C (+2)
• C → F (+3)
• F → J (+4)
• J → O (+5)
• O → U (+6) (Answer)

Secret Concept: Use positional values (A=1, B=2…), letter jumps, or alternating sequences.

 Mixed Number & Letter Series

Example 3: Find the missing term:
A1, C4, F9, J16, O25, ?

Solution:

• Letters: A, C, F, J, O, ? → Pattern: +2, +3, +4, +5, +6
• Numbers: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ? → Pattern: Square numbers (1², 2², 3², …)
• Next letter: O + 6 = U, Next number: 6² = 36
  Answer: U36

Secret Concept: Combine letter shifts and mathematical series together.

 Secret Tricks to Crack Series Questions Quickly

Identify the pattern first (Arithmetic, Geometric, Square/Cube, Prime Numbers)
Check letter jumps (Forward/Backward shifting)
Look for alternating sequences
Convert letters into numbers (A=1, B=2, etc.) for hidden patterns
Write down differences between numbers or letters

Would you like some practice questions with solutions to strengthen your skills?

Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal – Series with Secret Concept.

Here’s a detailed, smartly explained guide to solving Series Questions (with Secret Concepts) from Verbal Reasoning by Dr. R.S. Aggarwal, often asked in SSC, Bank, Railway, UPSC, and Campus Exams.

Number & Alphabet Series – Secret Concepts & Shortcuts

Series questions test your ability to identify patterns in a list of numbers or letters. They often hide logic based on:

“Secret Concepts” You Should Know:

1. Arithmetic Patterns (difference, sum)
2. Geometric Patterns (multiplication/division)
3. Alternating patterns
4. Squares & Cubes
5. Prime Numbers
6. Position of Alphabets (A=1, Z=26)
7. Reverse Alphabet Order (Z=1, A=26)
8. Mix of Number + Alphabet Logic

Number Series – Secret Tricks

Trick 1: Check Differences Between Terms

Example:
2, 5, 8, 11, 14, __
Pattern: +3
Answer: 17

Trick 2: Check Ratio or Multiplication

Example:
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, __
Pattern: ×2
Answer: 64

Trick 3: Alternating Series

Example:
5, 10, 6, 12, 7, 14, __
Pattern: +5, +6 alternately
Answer: 8

Trick 4: Squares / Cubes

Example:
1, 4, 9, 16, 25, __
Pattern: 1², 2², 3²…
Answer: 36

Alphabet Series – Secret Concepts

Trick 5: Alphabetical Positioning

Example:
A, C, E, G, __
Pattern: A=1, C=3, E=5 → odd numbers
Answer: I (9th)

Trick 6: Reverse Alphabet Order

Example:
Z, X, V, T, __
Pattern: -2 positions → Z(26), X(24), V(22)…
Answer: R (18)

Trick 7: Number-Alphabet Mix

Example:
A1, C3, E5, G7, __
Pattern: Skip 1 letter + add 2
Answer: I9

Hidden Secret Concepts (R.S. Aggarwal Style)

Memory Tips for Fast Solving

• Write down alphabet positions (A=1 to Z=26)
• Think difference first, then division/multiplication
• Use odd/even, square/cube, and prime number logic
• For alphabets: check +1, +2, skip letters, or reverse order
• Always try alternate pattern if it looks zigzag

Practice Questions

Q1: 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, __
→ Pattern: +3, +5, +7, +9…
Answer: 38

Q2: AZ, BY, CX, DW, __
A-Z (1-26), B-Y (2-25) → each moving inwards
Answer: EV

Q3: 2, 3, 5, 9, 17, __
→ Pattern: ×2 -1
(2×2-1=3, 3×2-1=5, …)
Answer: 33

Final Tips:

Step	What to Look For
Differences	Same, increasing, decreasing
Ratio/Multiply	×2, ×3, divide etc.
Alphabet Values	A=1 to Z=26 or Z=1 reverse
Square/Cube/Prime	1², 2², primes etc.
Alternating Pattern	Forward/backward, up/down series

Would you like:

• A PDF of shortcut notes?
• 10 practice MCQs with explanations?
• A visual mind map of “secret patterns”?

Let me know!