Logical Sequencing

Chapter 3 · Mental Agility Test · 5 questions in the paper · 24 min read

Logical Sequencing

What the syllabus asks for 4
  • Number series
  • Letter and alphanumeric series
  • Patterns in grids and missing-number figures
  • Calendar and clock reasoning

Logical sequencing carries 5 of the 20 MAT questions. A sequence of numbers, letters or letter–number groups follows a hidden rule, and you must find the next term, a missing term or the one term that breaks the rule. The same skill reads number grids and "missing number" figures, and it also covers the two calendar-and-clock types that every reasoning paper includes. The official MEC sample is a number series in which each term appears twice (53, 53, 40, 40, 27, 27, …). The whole chapter rests on one habit: write the differences (or the ratios) under the terms before you guess.

What the paper asks from this chapter
  • Number series: constant difference, constant ratio, differences that themselves form a series, squares and cubes ± a constant, primes, "add the last two", and two series interleaved.
  • Letter series: turn letters into positions (A = 1 … Z = 26) and treat them as numbers; opposite letters add to 27.
  • Grids and figures: the same operation in every row (or column, or figure) — sum, product, (a × b) − c, squares — found from the complete rows and applied to the incomplete one.
  • Calendar: odd days — an ordinary year has 1, a leap year 2; a month of 31 days has 3, of 30 days 2. Century years are leap years only if divisible by 400.
  • Clock: the angle between the hands is |30H - 5.5M| degrees; the hands meet 22 times a day.
  • Mirror clock: the real time is 11:60 minus the time shown in the mirror.

3.1 Number series

The method in four steps

  1. Differences. Write the difference between each pair of neighbours. Constant → arithmetic series. If the differences form their own pattern (2, 4, 6, 8 or 2, 4, 8, 16), continue that pattern.
  2. Ratios. If the terms grow fast, divide each term by the one before it. Constant ratio → geometric series; ratios ×2, ×3, ×4 … → a factorial-type series.
  3. Known numbers. Look for squares, cubes, primes, or these ± 1. Squares and cubes near the terms are the first suspects (24, 35, 48 are 5^2 - 1, 6^2 - 1, 7^2 - 1).
  4. Two series in one. If nothing fits, split the odd-numbered and even-numbered positions — each may be a simple series of its own. Also check for repeated terms (the MEC sample).
Type Example Rule Next
Arithmetic 7, 11, 15, 19 +4 23
Geometric 5, 15, 45, 135 ×3 405
Differences in AP 2, 6, 12, 20, 30 +4, +6, +8, +10 42
Differences in GP 5, 7, 11, 19, 35 +2, +4, +8, +16 67
Squares ± k 3, 8, 15, 24, 35 n^2 - 1 48
Cubes ± k 2, 9, 28, 65 n^3 + 1 126
Primes 11, 13, 17, 19, 23 consecutive primes 29
Fibonacci type 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 add the last two 21
× then + 3, 7, 15, 31 ×2 + 1 63
Growing multiplier 1, 2, 6, 24, 120 ×2, ×3, ×4, ×5 720
Interleaved 1, 10, 3, 9, 5, 8 1, 3, 5 … and 10, 9, 8 … 7
Repeated pairs 53, 53, 40, 40, 27, 27 each term twice, −13 14
The MEC sample question

Problem. Look at this series: 53, 53, 40, 40, 27, 27, … Which number should come next? (A) 12 (B) 14 (C) 27 (D) 53

Solution. Each number is written twice, and the distinct numbers fall by 13: 53 → 40 → 27 → 14 (key B). The next pair would be 14, 14. Option C (27) is the trap for students who think the series has to repeat 27 a third time.

Differences that double

Problem. 5, 7, 11, 19, 35, ?

Solution. Differences: 2, 4, 8, 16 — each doubles. The next difference is 32, so the next term is 35 + 32 = 67.

Two series interleaved

Problem. 1, 10, 3, 9, 5, 8, 7, ?

Solution. The differences (+9, −7, +6, −4 …) have no pattern, so split the positions. Odd places: 1, 3, 5, 7 (+2). Even places: 10, 9, 8, ? (−1). The 8th term is in the even series: 7.

The wrong term

"Find the wrong number" uses the same method. Write the differences; the wrong term spoils two neighbouring differences, one too big and one too small. In 3, 5, 9, 17, 34, 65 the differences are 2, 4, 8, 17, 31; the doubling pattern 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 is restored when 34 is replaced by 33. So 34 is wrong.

Do not stop at the first rule that fits three terms

Many rules fit three terms; the right rule fits every term. Check your rule on the whole series before you look at the options — and if two rules fit, the options usually contain only one of the two answers. When none of the options matches, you have the wrong rule, not a wrong question.

3.2 Letter and alphanumeric series

Change every letter to its position and the letter series becomes a number series. Count forwards past Z by subtracting 26 (Z + 2 = B).

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Type Example Rule Next
Fixed skip D, G, J, M +3 P
Growing skip A, D, H, M +3, +4, +5 S (13 + 6 = 19)
Backwards Y, V, S, P −3 M
Opposite pairs AZ, BY, CX first letter +1, second −1 (sum 27) DW
Groups ABD, DEG, GHJ each group +3; inside a group +1, +2 JKM
Alphanumeric B2, D4, F6 letter +2, number = letter's position H8
Letter and number apart KM5, IP8, GS11 −2 / +3 / +3 EV14

Repeating-letter series (fill the blanks)

A string like a _ b a a _ a a b _ a b hides a short block repeated. Try blocks of 2, 3 and 4 letters until the given letters all fit: here the block is aab (a a b | a a b | a a b | a a b), so the blanks are a, b, a. Count the letters: the total length is usually a multiple of the block length.

A growing skip

Problem. A, D, H, M, ?

Solution. Positions 1, 4, 8, 13: differences +3, +4, +5. Next +6: 13 + 6 = 19 = S.

Positions without counting

E J O T Y = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 ("EJOTY"). Any letter is at most two steps from one of them: P = O + 1 = 16, W = Y − 2 = 23. The opposite letter is at 27 − position (H ↔ S).

3.3 Patterns in grids and missing-number figures

The figure (a grid, circles, triangles, a wheel) hides one operation that is the same in every row, column or figure. Find it from the complete parts, then apply it to the incomplete part. Try, in this order:

  1. Sum of the row (or column) is constant, or the third number = first + second.
  2. Product: third = first × second; or the centre = the product of the corners.
  3. Mixed: (first + second) × k, first × second − third, (a × b) − (c × d).
  4. Squares and cubes: third = first² + second², or a square in the centre.
  5. Rows versus columns: if no row rule works, try columns; then try the diagonals.

figure
Figure 1. A missing-number grid. Rows 1 and 2 show the rule: (first + second) × 2 = third. Row 3 gives (4 + 6) × 2 = 20.

Checking a grid rule

Problem. In the grid above, which number replaces the question mark?

Solution. Row 1: 5 + 3 = 8 and 8 × 2 = 16. Row 2: 7 + 2 = 9 and 9 × 2 = 18. The rule holds for both complete rows, so row 3 gives (4 + 6) × 2 = 20. (A product rule fails at once: 5 × 3 = 15, not 16.)

A rule must work for every complete row

A rule that explains one row is a guess; a rule that explains two rows is an answer. If two different rules both fit the complete rows, they will usually give the same answer — if they do not, look again at the options.

3.4 Calendar and clock reasoning

Calendar: odd days

An odd day is a day left over after counting complete weeks. Days of the week repeat every 7 days, so only the remainder on division by 7 matters.

Period Days Odd days
Ordinary year 365 = 52 weeks + 1 day 1
Leap year 366 = 52 weeks + 2 days 2
Month of 31 days 31 = 4 weeks + 3 3
Month of 30 days 30 = 4 weeks + 2 2
February 28 or 29 0 or 1
100 years 76 ordinary + 24 leap 5
200 / 300 / 400 years 3 / 1 / 0

Leap year rule. A year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4 — except century years (1900, 2100), which are leap years only if divisible by 400 (2000 was a leap year; 1900 was not).

Day of the week. Count the odd days and move that many days forward. With the odd-day method from the start of the calendar, 0 odd days = Sunday, 1 = Monday, …, 6 = Saturday.

A date from history

Problem. Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary first reached the summit of Mount Everest on 29 May 1953. What day of the week was it?

Solution. Count odd days up to that date. 1600 years: 0. 1601–1900 (300 years): 1. 1901–1952: 52 years with 13 leap years: 52 + 13 = 65 → 65 − 63 = 2. 1953 up to 29 May: January 3 + February 0 + March 3 + April 2 + 29 days of May (1) = 9 → 2. Total = 0 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 5 → Friday.

Fact Rule
Same date next year 1 day later (2 days if a 29 February comes in between)
After n days move forward n mod 7 days (100 days → 2 days on)
A year's calendar repeats when the starting weekday and the leap/ordinary type both match (2026 → 2037)
Last day of a century can only be Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday

Clock: the angle between the hands

The minute hand moves 6° per minute; the hour hand moves 30° per hour, i.e. 0.5° per minute. At H hours and M minutes:

\theta = \left|30H - \frac{11}{2}M\right|

If θ comes out above 180°, the smaller angle is 360° − θ.

figure
Figure 2. The clock at 3:40. The hour hand has moved two-thirds of the way from 3 to 4 (90° + 20° = 110° from 12); the minute hand is at 240°. The angle between them is |90 − 5.5 × 40| = 130°.

Clock fact Value
Minute hand gains on the hour hand 5.5° per minute (55 minute-spaces per hour)
Hands together between H and H + 1 o'clock at 60H/11 minutes past H
Hands together every 65\frac{5}{11} minutes; 11 times in 12 hours, 22 times a day
Hands at right angles 22 times in 12 hours, 44 times a day
Hands opposite (180°) 11 times in 12 hours, 22 times a day
Mirror image (vertical mirror) real time = 11:60 − time seen (mirror 3:15 → 8:45)
Clock gaining g minutes per hour after t true hours it is ahead by g × t minutes
Angle and coincidence

Problem. (i) What is the angle between the hands at 4:30? (ii) At what time between 4 and 5 o'clock are the hands together?

Solution. (i) |30 × 4 − 5.5 × 30| = |120 − 165| = 45°. (ii) Hands together when 30H = 5.5M: M = 120/5.5 = 240/11 = 21 9/11 minutes past 4.

Two clock traps

At 4:30 the hour hand is not on the 4 — it is halfway to the 5. Answers like 60° come from forgetting that the hour hand moves. And the mirror rule 11:60 − t is for a mirror placed beside the clock; check one time in your head (mirror 3:00 must give 9:00) before using it.

Formula and fact sheet

Topic Rule
Series method differences → ratios → squares/cubes/primes → split odd and even places
Second differences constant second difference → next difference continues the AP
n^2 \pm 1 2, 5, 10, 17, 26 (n^2 + 1); 3, 8, 15, 24, 35 (n^2 - 1)
n^3 \pm 1 2, 9, 28, 65, 126 (n^3 + 1); 0, 7, 26, 63, 124 (n^3 - 1)
n(n + 1) 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 42
Primes to 50 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47
Letters EJOTY = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25; opposite letter = 27 − position
Wrong term it spoils two neighbouring differences
Grid the rule must fit every complete row/column/figure
Odd days year 1 (leap 2); 31-day month 3, 30-day month 2, Feb 0 (leap 1); 100 years 5
Leap year divisible by 4; century years only if divisible by 400
Day code 0 Sunday, 1 Monday, … 6 Saturday
Clock angle |30H - 5.5M|; use 360° − θ if θ > 180°
Hands together at 60H/11 minutes past H; 22 times a day
Right angles / opposite 44 / 22 times a day
Mirror time 11:60 − time seen

Chapter summary

  • Logical sequencing carries 5 of the 20 MAT questions; the MEC sample (53, 53, 40, 40, 27, 27 → 14) is a series of repeated pairs falling by 13.
  • Write the differences first; then ratios; then squares, cubes and primes; then split the series into odd and even places.
  • A rule is right only when it fits every term; a wrong term spoils two differences.
  • Letters become numbers (A = 1 … Z = 26, EJOTY, opposite = 27 − n); repeating-letter series hide a short repeated block.
  • Grid and figure puzzles: find one operation from the complete rows and apply it to the incomplete one.
  • Calendar: odd days (year 1, leap year 2, 31-day month 3, 30-day month 2); century leap years must divide by 400.
  • Clock: θ = |30H − 5.5M|; the hands meet 22 times a day; mirror time = 11:60 − t.

Practice questions

Set A — Recall (25 questions)

  1. Find the next term: 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, ?a28b30c29d34
  2. Find the next term: 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, ?a96b72c84d100
  3. Find the next term: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ?a30b35c49d36
  4. Find the next term: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, ?a15b17c19d14
  5. Find the next term: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ?a21b18c20d26
  6. Find the next term: 243, 81, 27, 9, ?a1b6c3d0
  7. Find the next term: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?a40b36c44d42
  8. Look at this series: 35, 35, 29, 29, 23, 23, … Which number should come next?a23b17c19d11
  9. Find the next term: 1, 8, 27, 64, ?a100b81c125d216
  10. Find the next term: 5, 10, 8, 16, 14, 28, ?a26b56c30d24
  11. Find the next letter: A, C, E, G, ?aHbJcKdI
  12. Find the next letter: Z, X, V, T, ?aSbQcRdP
  13. Find the next letter: B, E, H, K, ?aMbNcOdL
  14. Find the next term: AZ, BY, CX, ?aDWbDVcEWdWD
  15. Find the next term: A1, C3, E5, G7, ?aH8bI8cJ9dI9
  16. Find the next letter: A, B, D, G, K, ?aObPcQdN

figure
Figure 3. For Set A, question 17: the same rule holds in every row of the grid.

  1. In the figure above, which number replaces the question mark?a6b8c7d9

figure
Figure 4. For Set A, question 18: the number inside each triangle is found from the three numbers at its corners by the same rule.

  1. In the figure above, which number replaces the question mark?a4b5c3d6
  2. If 1 January of a year is a Monday, what day of the week is 1 February of that year?aWednesdaybFridaycTuesdaydThursday
  3. How many odd days are there in a leap year?a1b2c0d3
  4. Which of the following years is a leap year?a1900b2100c2000d2022
  5. If today is Wednesday, what day of the week will it be exactly 100 days from today?aFridaybThursdaycSaturdaydTuesday
  6. The angle between the hands of a clock at 4:30 isa30°b60°c15°d45°
  7. How many times in a day do the hour hand and the minute hand of a clock coincide?a24b22c12d11
  8. The mirror image of a wall clock (mirror beside the clock) shows 3:15. The actual time isa9:45b8:15c8:45d9:15
Answers and explanations — Set A

1. (c) — Add 5 each time: 24 + 5 = 29.

2. (a) — Multiply by 2 each time: 48 × 2 = 96.

3. (d) — Squares of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; next 6^2 = 36.

4. (b) — Consecutive prime numbers; the prime after 13 is 17 (15 = 3 × 5 is not prime).

5. (a) — Each term is the sum of the two before it: 8 + 13 = 21.

6. (c) — Divide by 3 each time: 9 ÷ 3 = 3.

7. (d) — Differences 4, 6, 8, 10, so next 12: 30 + 12 = 42 (the terms are 1 × 2, 2 × 3, …, 6 × 7).

8. (b) — Each number appears twice and the numbers fall by 6: 35, 29, 23, then 17.

9. (c) — Cubes of 1, 2, 3, 4; next 5^3 = 125.

10. (a) — The steps alternate ×2 and −2: 5 ×2 = 10, −2 = 8, ×2 = 16, −2 = 14, ×2 = 28, −2 = 26.

11. (d) — Positions 1, 3, 5, 7: skip one letter each time; next 9 = I.

12. (c) — Positions 26, 24, 22, 20: back two each time; next 18 = R.

13. (b) — Positions 2, 5, 8, 11: +3; next 14 = N.

14. (a) — First letters A, B, C, D (+1); second letters Z, Y, X, W (−1): DW. Each pair adds to 27.

15. (d) — Letters skip one (A, C, E, G, I) and the number is the letter's position: I9.

16. (b) — Positions 1, 2, 4, 7, 11: differences +1, +2, +3, +4; next +5 gives 16 = P.

17. (c) — In each row, first × second = third: 3 × 4 = 12, 5 × 2 = 10, so 6 × ? = 42 and ? = 7.

18. (a) — The centre is the product of the corners: 2 × 3 × 4 = 24, 3 × 4 × 5 = 60, so 2 × 5 × ? = 40 and ? = 4.

19. (d) — January has 31 days = 3 odd days; Monday + 3 = Thursday.

20. (b) — 366 days = 52 weeks + 2 days.

21. (c) — 2000 is a century year divisible by 400. 1900 and 2100 are century years not divisible by 400; 2022 is not divisible by 4.

22. (a) — 100 = 14 × 7 + 2, so two days after Wednesday: Friday.

23. (d) — |30 × 4 − 5.5 × 30| = |120 − 165| = 45°. The hour hand is halfway between 4 and 5.

24. (b) — 11 times in every 12 hours (the meeting at 12 is shared), so 22 times in 24 hours.

25. (c) — Real time = 11:60 − 3:15 = 8:45.

Set B — Understanding (16 questions)

  1. Find the next term: 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ?a35b36c37d38
  2. Find the next term: 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, ?a127b125c126d95
  3. Find the next term: 6, 11, 21, 36, 56, ?a76b86c71d81
  4. Find the next term: 1, 2, 6, 24, 120, ?a240b720c600d144
  5. Find the wrong number in the series: 2, 5, 11, 20, 32, 48a5b11c48d32
  6. Find the next term: 4, 6, 9, 13.5, ?a18b20.25c19.5d27
  7. Find the next term: 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 18, ?a25b27c28d29
  8. Find the next term: 0, 7, 26, 63, 124, ?a215b217c216d225
  9. Find the next letter: Z, W, S, P, L, I, ?aFbDcEdG
  10. Which group of letters fills the blanks, in order, in the series a _ b a a _ a a b _ a b?aabababbcbaadbab
  11. Find the next term: B2, D4, F8, H16, ?aI32bJ24cK32dJ32
  12. Find the next term: ABD, DEG, GHJ, ?aJKLbJLMcKLNdJKM
  13. If 15 August 2026 is a Saturday, what day of the week is 15 August 2027?aSaturdaybSundaycMondaydFriday
  14. The angle between the hands of a clock at 7:20 isa90°b110°c100°d120°
  15. In a mirror placed beside a wall clock, the clock appears to show 6:40. The actual time isa5:20b6:20c4:20d5:40

figure
Figure 5. For Set B, question 16: in each square the number in the middle is found from the four corner numbers by the same rule.

  1. In the figure above, which number replaces the question mark?a2b3c4d5
Answers and explanations — Set B

1. (c) — The terms are n^2 + 1 for n = 1 … 5 (differences 3, 5, 7, 9); next 6^2 + 1 = 37.

2. (a) — Each term is the one before × 2 + 1: 63 × 2 + 1 = 127.

3. (d) — Differences 5, 10, 15, 20; next 25: 56 + 25 = 81.

4. (b) — Multiply by 2, 3, 4, 5, then 6: 120 × 6 = 720.

5. (c) — The differences should be 3, 6, 9, 12, 15: 2, 5, 11, 20, 32, 47. 48 is wrong; changing any other term breaks two differences.

6. (b) — Each term is 1.5 times the one before: 13.5 × 1.5 = 20.25.

7. (d) — Each term is the sum of the two before it: 11 + 18 = 29.

8. (a) — The terms are n^3 - 1: 1 − 1, 8 − 1, 27 − 1, 64 − 1, 125 − 1; next 216 − 1 = 215.

9. (c) — Positions 26, 23, 19, 16, 12, 9: the steps alternate −3 and −4; next −4 gives 5 = E.

10. (a) — The block "aab" repeats: aab aab aab aab. The blanks (2nd, 6th and 10th letters) are a, b, a.

11. (d) — Letters skip one (B, D, F, H, J); numbers double (2, 4, 8, 16, 32): J32.

12. (d) — Each group starts 3 letters on (A, D, G, J), and inside a group the steps are +1, +2: J, K, M.

13. (b) — 15 Aug 2026 to 15 Aug 2027 is 365 days (no 29 February in between: 2027 is not a leap year), 1 odd day: Sunday.

14. (c) — |30 × 7 − 5.5 × 20| = |210 − 110| = 100°.

15. (a) — Real time = 11:60 − 6:40 = 5:20. Check: a mirror swaps 5:20 and 6:40, which are symmetric about the 12–6 line.

16. (b) — Middle = (top-left × top-right) − (bottom-left × bottom-right): 6 × 4 − 3 × 2 = 18 and 7 × 5 − 4 × 3 = 23. So 8 × 6 − 5 × ? = 33, giving 5 × ? = 15 and ? = 3.

Set C — Application (11 questions)

  1. Find the next term: 13, 15, 19, 27, 43, ?a59b75c71d86
  2. Find the next term: 2, 10, 4, 20, 8, 40, 16, ?a32b60c80d64
  3. Find the next term: 1, 2, 5, 14, 41, ?a122b123c121d82
  4. Find the next letter: C, F, J, O, ?aTbVcSdU
  5. Find the next term: KM5, IP8, GS11, EV14, ?aCY17bCX17cDY17dCY15
  6. If 1 January 2026 is a Thursday, what day of the week is 1 March 2026?aSaturdaybSundaycMondaydWednesday
  7. In which year will the calendar of 2026 be repeated exactly?a2032b2036c2037d2031
  8. At what time between 4 and 5 o'clock are the hands of a clock together?a20 minutes past 4b22 minutes past 4c21 7/11 minutes past 4d21 9/11 minutes past 4
  9. A clock gains 5 minutes every hour. It is set right at 6 a.m. What time will it show when the correct time is 6 p.m. the same day?a6:55 p.m.b7:05 p.m.c7:00 p.m.d7:12 p.m.

figure
Figure 6. For Set C, question 10: the same rule links the three numbers in every column.

  1. In the figure above, which number replaces the question mark?a14b48c196d100
  2. The angle between the hands of a clock at 9:15 isa172.5°b180°c165°d157.5°
Answers and explanations — Set C

1. (b) — Differences 2, 4, 8, 16 double each time; next 32: 43 + 32 = 75.

2. (c) — Two series: odd places 2, 4, 8, 16 (×2) and even places 10, 20, 40 (×2). The 8th term belongs to the even series: 80.

3. (a) — Each term is the one before × 3 − 1: 41 × 3 − 1 = 122.

4. (d) — Positions 3, 6, 10, 15: steps +3, +4, +5; next +6 gives 21 = U.

5. (a) — First letters K, I, G, E, C (−2); second letters M, P, S, V, Y (+3); numbers 5, 8, 11, 14, 17 (+3): CY17.

6. (b) — January (31) + February 2026 (28, not a leap year) = 59 days = 8 weeks + 3 days; Thursday + 3 = Sunday.

7. (c) — A repeat needs the same first weekday (Thursday) and the same year type (ordinary). Odd days: 2026 to 2031 give 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7, so 2032 starts on a Thursday — but 2032 is a leap year. 2032 to 2036 give 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 7 more, so 2037 starts on a Thursday and is an ordinary year.

8. (d) — Together when 30 × 4 = 5.5M: M = 240/11 = 21 9/11 minutes past 4.

9. (c) — From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. is 12 hours; it gains 12 × 5 = 60 minutes, so it shows 7:00 p.m.

10. (d) — In each column, top² + middle² = bottom: 9 + 16 = 25, 25 + 144 = 169, so 36 + 64 = 100. 196 = (6 + 8)² squares the sum instead.

11. (a) — |30 × 9 − 5.5 × 15| = |270 − 82.5| = 187.5°, which is more than 180°, so the angle is 360 − 187.5 = 172.5°.