Sequence

Jai Ganesh · 2006-02-27 20:25:41

What is the next letter in this sequence?

A B H F M C I G T D O J U ?

jU · 2006-02-27 20:30:22

krassi_holmz · 2006-02-27 20:30:37

K?

jU · 2006-02-27 20:31:58

read my post

rimi · 2006-02-28 17:53:45

E?

Jai Ganesh · 2006-02-28 18:32:39

Well done, rimi! It is E. You get an award for this.

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Can you tell the reason why the next letter in the sequence is E?

jU · 2006-03-01 20:50:18

I have the answer it is $E

Jai Ganesh · 2006-03-01 22:35:30

rimi, jU,

Please justify your answer.

ashwil · 2006-03-02 06:32:52

Looks like it was a lucky guess prompted by the apparent relative positioning of B, C, D! What about it, guys?

Patrick · 2006-03-02 08:37:02

I have to admit I don't get the sequence

ashwil · 2006-03-02 09:48:32

The letter after E would be X

Jai Ganesh · 2006-03-02 16:56:28

Excellent, ashwil!

ashwil · 2006-03-02 23:30:36

Alas, it is more a tribute to memory than to puzzle-solving ability. I just had a flash of inspiration and remembered my maths teacher from 1978 who had a fascination for this kind of puzzle. He had set us a very similar teaser that took us weeks to crack (and with more than one or two clues!).

Is it time to give a clue on this one? I must say, the logic is one of the more obcure relationships.

Patrick · 2006-03-03 06:26:25

I'd like a clue

ashwil · 2006-03-03 08:08:17

A clue of sorts:

In solving letter sequences, there are usually 3 basic questions to ask:

1. Is there a mathematical progression? (eg, move 4 letters through the alphabet, then back two etc)
2. Is there a sequence based on initial letters of something occurring in general life, not mathematics? (MTWTFSS, OTTFFSS, JFMAMJJ)
3. Is there an intrinsic quality to the letters themselves that has nothing to do with the above?

Patrick · 2006-03-03 08:39:26

not sure I understand the 2. 'question'..

ashwil · 2006-03-03 08:48:32

OK, the first of the examples refers to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday etc. I.e., these examples are not mathematical, but rely on lateral thought to make a conection with a sequence that is "familiar" in its normally occurring form. These 3 examples are the ones you would see most often, but sometimes you may get something really obscure like HHLBBC... (the periodic table of the elements: Hydrogen, Helium etc)

I suggest you focus on the 3rd category!

Patrick · 2006-03-03 08:55:26

I get it now .. Thx

Jai Ganesh · 2006-03-06 17:18:52

Another sequnce, this time a simpler one!

Where should the number 10 be placed to continue the sequence?

8 5 4 9 1 7 6 3 2

mathsyperson · 2006-03-07 04:30:04

. ^

Jai Ganesh · 2006-03-07 04:38:34

mathsyperson is correct, can someone other than him tell why 10 should be placed there?

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2006-02-27 20:25:41

Sequence

#2 2006-02-27 20:30:22

Re: Sequence

#3 2006-02-27 20:30:37

Re: Sequence

#4 2006-02-27 20:31:58

Re: Sequence

#5 2006-02-28 17:53:45

Re: Sequence

#6 2006-02-28 18:32:39

Re: Sequence

#7 2006-03-01 20:50:18

Re: Sequence

#8 2006-03-01 22:35:30

Re: Sequence

#9 2006-03-02 06:32:52

Re: Sequence

#10 2006-03-02 08:37:02

Re: Sequence

#11 2006-03-02 09:48:32

Re: Sequence

#12 2006-03-02 16:56:28

Re: Sequence

#13 2006-03-02 23:30:36

Re: Sequence

#14 2006-03-03 06:26:25

Re: Sequence

#15 2006-03-03 08:08:17

Re: Sequence

#16 2006-03-03 08:39:26

Re: Sequence

#17 2006-03-03 08:48:32

Re: Sequence

#18 2006-03-03 08:55:26

Re: Sequence

#19 2006-03-06 17:18:52

Re: Sequence

#20 2006-03-07 04:30:04

Re: Sequence

#21 2006-03-07 04:38:34

Re: Sequence

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