Coding‑Decoding (Reasoning Ability)
1. What is Coding‑Decoding?
- Think of it as a secret recipe.
- A word or a series of words is coded by changing letters, numbers, or order.
- Your job is to guess the hidden word or the rule that creates the code.
2. How to Tackle a Problem
| Step | What to Do | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read the statement carefully. | Look for words like code, decode, similar, different. |
| 2 | List the given pairs (e.g., “CAT → 12”). | Write them side‑by‑side. |
| 3 | Find a pattern. | Check letters, positions, sums, reversals. |
| 4 | Test the pattern on the next pair. | If it works, you’re on the right track. |
| 5 | Solve the unknown using the rule. | Plug the missing word into the rule. |
3. Common Coding Patterns
| Pattern | What It Means | Everyday Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Alphabet Position | A = 1, B = 2, … | Counting steps from the start of a street. |
| Sum of Positions | Add positions of letters. | Adding up the cost of items in a basket. |
| Reversal | Word written backwards. | Reading a palindrome in reverse. |
| Skipping Letters | Use every 2nd, 3rd letter, etc. | Picking every 3rd fruit from a basket. |
| Word Length | Number of letters = code. | The length of a line of text. |
| Mixed (Letters + Numbers) | Combines two of the above. | A recipe that lists both ingredients and amounts. |
4. Tiny Example
| Code | Word | How to Decode |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | E | 5th letter of the alphabet → E |
Explanation
- The code “5” tells us to pick the 5th letter.
- The 5th letter is E.
5. Quick Practice
-
Code: 8
Word: F
What does 8 stand for?
Answer: 8th letter → H -
Word → Code:
CAT → 9
DOG → ?
Find the rule and decode DOG.
Answer: Sum of positions: C(3)+A(1)+T(20)=24 → 2+4=6 → DOG = 6
6. Tips for Success
- Look for the smallest change first.
- Use a table of alphabet positions if needed.
- Cross‑check: Apply the rule to all given pairs.
- Don’t rush: A wrong pattern will waste time.
- Practice: The more patterns you see, the quicker you spot them.
7. Quick Cheat Sheet
| Code | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Letter → Number | Position in alphabet | A → 1 |
| Sum of positions → Number | Add letter values | CAT → 3+1+20 = 24 → 2+4 = 6 |
| Number → Letter | Reverse position | 8 → H |
| Word → Length | Count letters | CAT → 3 |
Final Thought
Coding‑decoding is like solving a simple puzzle.
Look for patterns, test them, and you’ll crack the code in no time!