Solve Alphabetical Sequences using Double Letter Pairs in Both Directions

Letter detective, we need your help! In this activity, we will be using the alphabet to help us crack a letter code!

There are many different types of sequences. In letter pair sequences there are pairs of letters joined together by a common theme, normally the amount of space between them. Some follow a forwards sequence, while others follow a reverse alphabet sequence.

Here is the alphabet for you to use as a reference:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Look at the following letter sequence:

US is to QO as MK is to ___?

First, we have to work out how the first letter of the first pair (US) gets to the first letter of the second pair (QO).

To get from U to Q, we jump 4 places to the left.

Then we have to work out how the second letter of the first pair gets to the second letter of the second pair.

To get from S to O we also jump 4 places to the left.

This means we need to do the same to the letters M and K to work out the missing letters in our sequence.

This makes our missing letters IG.

So the answer is:

US is to QO as MK is to IG.

Let’s try another:

TR is to SU as BL is to ___?

To get from the first letter of the first pair to the first letter of the second pair, we jump 1 place to the left.

To get from the second letter of the first pair to the second letter of the second pair, we jump 3 places to the right.

This means we need to jump one place to the left from the letter B, giving us A and then three places to the right from L, giving us O.

So the correct answer is:

TR is to SU as BL is to AO.

In this activity, you will need to be a sequence superstar and complete the letter pairs.

Pssstt!! Here’s a handy hint to help you reach superstar status:

Remember to use the alphabet line to help you work out the code.