Pick the odd man out.

2023

Pick the odd man out.

  1. A.

    KML

  2. B.

    NPQ

  3. C.

    PRQ

  4. D.

    TVU

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Concept: In a letter-group classification (odd-one-out) question, convert every letter to its position in the alphabet (A=1 ... Z=26) and test whether the SAME arithmetic rule links all three letters in three of the four groups - the group that breaks that shared rule is the odd one out.

Group

1st letter + 2

Result - 1

Actual 3rd letter

Follows rule?

KML

K(11)+2 = M(13)

M(13)-1 = L(12)

L

Yes

PRQ

P(16)+2 = R(18)

R(18)-1 = Q(17)

Q

Yes

TVU

T(20)+2 = V(22)

V(22)-1 = U(21)

U

Yes

NPQ

N(14)+2 = P(16)

P(16)-1 = O(15)

Q

No (should be O, not Q)

Cross-check: KML, PRQ, and TVU each satisfy first-letter+2 = second letter and second-letter-1 = third letter. NPQ is the only group whose third letter does not match what the rule predicts, so it is the exception.

Result: NPQ is the odd one out.

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