1 Coding-Decoding and Series

Introduction Important
Coding-decoding is based on the candi- y While solving questions based on letter
date’s intellectual ability to decode a com- coding, students should know the
plex question given in the form of codes or alphabetic position of each letter. Even
conditions and answer questions based on if you remember the positions of the
them. following six letters, it will help you in
finding the positions of the other letters.
These and series-based questions are pret-
A-1   E -5   J-10   O-15   T-20   Y-25.
ty common in the logical reasoning section
y One should also try to remember the
of SNAP, CMAT, NMAT, TISS-NET, MAT, ATMA,
reverse coding, i.e., A-Z, B-Y, etc.
etc. Even in XAT and IIFT, you may find ques-
Now, let’s look at the types of questions
tions based on this topic.
asked as part of coding-decoding.
Usually, these questions are easy to tackle.
However, the level of difficulty and the varie- Types of Coding-Decoding
ty of questions vary from exam to exam. This
module will first discuss the concept and y Type 1: Letter coding
then help you understand the tricks needed y Type 2: Letter to number coding
to solve questions. y Type 3: Substitution
y Type 4: Deciphering coding
y Type 5: Symbol coding
Keynote y Type 6: Coding based on condition
y Type 7: New pattern coding-decoding
For a particular letter, the letter from Type 1: Letter Coding
the opposite end can be found using
In this type of coding, the letters of a word
the ‘Rule of 27’. Always remember that
are replaced by other letters which are at a
the sum of the positional value of op-
gap of a few units in English alphabets. This
posite alphabets is always 27, i.e.,
gap forms the logic behind the encryption.
A (1), Z (26)
Example 1:
B (2), Y (25)
Detect the coding pattern/rule and answer
the question below:
Coding-Decoding
If WHITE is written as XIJUF, then BLUE is
Coding and decoding is an important topic in written as:
all entrance exams. In coding, a data value is
(A) CMFV
encrypted and in decoding, it is decrypted.
(B) CMVF
To answer the coding question, you need (C) DMVF
to remember the alphabetic position of the (D) DMFV
letters.
The best way to write the English alphabet is:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N
26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14

Coding-Decoding and Series 5

 Solution: (B) So, BLUE can be written as,
Each letter in the word WHITE is moved one
step forward to obtain the corresponding
letter of the code.

Hence, option (B) is correct.

Important coding patterns

y For three-letter word

y For four-letter word

y For five-letter word

y For six-letter word

y For seven-letter word

Type 2: Letter to Number Coding

so formed, follow a sequence. This sequence
In this type of coding, the letters of a word are forms the logic behind the encryption.
replaced by numbers. The series of numbers

6 Coding-Decoding and Series

Example 2:
Rack Your Brain
In a certain code, CHAMP is coded as
9641169256. How will DEAF be coded?
2. If book is called pillow, pillow is called
(A) 42,516 cloth, cloth is called table, table is called
(B) 16,25,136 bottle, and bottle is called speaker, then
(C) 1,62,516 what do we wear?
(D) 1,65,136
Solution: (B)
Type 4: Deciphering Coding
The letters are coded as:
In these questions, one is expected to de-
A B C D E
termine the codes for a certain statement
1 4 9 16 25
based on the directions mentioned in the
and so on, i.e., the square of the alphabetic
problem statements.
position of letters.
So, the code for DEAF will be 1625136.
Example 4:
Hence, option (B) is correct.
In a certain code language,
Rack Your Brain y ‘Life in a jungle’ is written as ‘ae tp lo pi’,
y ‘Plant a jungle tree’ is written as ‘mn pi
1. If WEATHER is coded as 13,56,937 and tp xy’,
CATCH as 25,629, how can ‘TEAR’ be y ‘Tall mango tree now’ is written as ‘mn
coded? do ln rs’
y ‘Now the jungle rains’ is written as ‘ln pi
aa cb’
Type 3: Substitution Which of the following does ‘mn’ stand
In these types of coding questions, object for?
names are substituted with different object (A) Plant
names. Candidates should carefully trace the (B) Tree
substitution and answer the given questions. (C) Mango
(D) Tall
Example 3: Solution: (B)
If Pink is called black, black is called blue, Let’s compare the common words with the
blue is called white, white is called yellow, codes in the given phrases.
and yellow is called red, then what would be
the color of a sunflower?
Rack Your Brain
(A) Blue
(B) Yellow
3. In a certain code, ‘rim sim tim’ means
(C) Red
‘where are you’, ‘gim sim tim’ means
(D) White
‘who are you’, what is the code for
Solution: (C) ‘who’?
The color of a sunflower is ‘yellow’, and as
is given that ‘yellow’ is called ‘red’. So, the
color of the sunflower is mentioned as ‘red’.
Hence, option (C) is correct.

Coding-Decoding and Series 7

 Clearly, ‘mn’ stands for tree.
Hence, option (B) is correct.

Type 5: Symbol Coding

In this type of coding, candidates are going
to deal with the questions, in which a set
of symbols is assigned to a group of letters.
Candidates are required to identify the rela-
tionship between the letter and the symbol
and decipher the pattern of coding and an- Hence, option (D) is correct.
swer accordingly. Type 6: Coding Based on Condition
In these types of questions, the codes for
Example 5: the digits and symbols are given with some
In a certain code ‘TIGER’, is written as ‘4*3@1’, conditions. Candidates should identify the
and ‘RABBIT’ is written as ‘1922*4’. How is codes and answer the following questions
‘BEAR’ written in that code? according to the conditions given.
(A) 219@
(B) 2@19 Example 6:
(C) 921@ Given below are the codes for the digit/
(D) 2@91 symbol. Study the conditions given below
Solution: (D) and answer the questions that follow.
Here, just by comparison, we can figure out
the codes for each letter, as shown below:

Digital/
8 3 @ * π 4 1 # 6 2 ® 5 9 $ 7
Symbol
Letter
M C L P A F Z S T E W N R D Q
code

8 Coding-Decoding and Series

Additional conditions Solution: (B)
y If both the first and the last elements are The given words are coded as per the fol-
even digits, both of them are coded as ‘U’. lowing pattern:
y If both first and last elements are odd i) 
The first letter in the code represents
digits, both of them are coded as ‘Y’. the letter from the opposite end of the
y If the first element is an even digit and last letter in the word.
the last element is a symbol, then the
ii) 
The symbol represents the number of
codes for the first and the last elements
letters in the word, i.e., # for even, and
get interchanged.
@ for odd.
1. What will be the codes for the following iii) 
The number in the code represents the
groups of elements 3@53*7? positional value of first letter of the
(A) YLNCPY word.
(B) YNLPCY
So, the code for ‘COVID Shield’ will be W@3
(C) UNLCPU
W#19.
(D) YLNCPQ
Hence, option (B) is correct.
Solution: (A)
As per the table, the code for 3@53*7 will Number Series
be CLNCPQ.
Number series questions are based on nu-
But, the group of elements ‘3@53*7’ also merical sequences that follow a certain pat-
satisfies condition (ii). So, change both the tern which is based on the mathematical
first and last element to ‘Y’. Therefore, the rule.
code will be YLNCPY.
An initial sequence is given from which the
Hence, option (A) is correct. rule is to be deduced. You are then asked to
Type 7: New Pattern-Based Coding-Decoding predict the next number that obeys the rule
or even to identify the wrong terms or the
In this type, alphabets, symbols, and missing term in the given sequence.
numeric values together are given in
The difficulty level of these questions can
the form of code representing a word.
increase in two ways; first, the logic behind
Candidates should identify the logic behind
the sequence becomes less trivial and de-
the codes and answer accordingly. mands attention and creativity; second, the
missing number can be positioned at an
Example 7: early stage, thus preventing you from deci-
In a certain code language, phering the hidden rule by only looking at
y ‘Raise your hand’ is written as V@18, the previous numbers in the sequence.
F@25, W#8. Different Types of Number Series
y ‘Sky is Blue’ is written as B@19, H#9, V#2.
y ‘Kill Corona Campaign’ is written as O#11, There are some formats of series which
Z#3, M#3. are asked in exams.

1. Which among the following is the code Series with first-level difference same
for ‘COVID Shield’? This is the simplest of all the series ques-
(A) W@3 D#19 tions. It is a series in the form of an arithme-
(B) W@3 W#19 tic progression (i.e., the difference between
(C) W#4 W@3 two consecutive terms is the same). Look at
(D) D#3 W#4 the following example:

Coding-Decoding and Series 9

 Example 8: Geometric series
Find the next term in the following series: 2, This type of series is based on ascending
5, 8, 11, _____. or descending order of numbers and each
successive number is obtained by multiplying
Solution: 14 or dividing the previous number with a fixed
It is very easy to figure out that the next number.
term of the sequence is obtained by adding
‘3’ to the previous term. Example 10:

Hence, answer is (14). 5, 45, 405, 3645, ?

Note: Series with second level difference Solution: 32,805

constant being of the form: (an + b). 5 × 9 = 45, 45 × 9 = 405, 405 × 9 = 3,645,
3,645 × 9 = 32,805.
Series with second-or third-level difference
same Hence, answer is 32,805.

Questions based on this variety are slightly Multiplication series

more challenging. In this series, the next term is obtained by
Series with second level difference constant multiplying/dividing the previous terms by a
being of the form: (an2 + bn + c). common number or numbers in a pattern.
Series with third level difference constant Example 11:
with being of the form: (an3 + bn2 + cn + d).
4, 4, 6, 12, 30, 90, ____.
Check the following example.
Solution: 315
Example 9:
The terms are multiplied by 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and
Find the next term in the following series: 3, so….
6, 10, 15, 21, 28, ____.
So, 90 × 3.5 = 315
Solution: 36 Hence, answer is 315.
Here, the difference between the terms of
the given series is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, …
Rack Your Brain
So, the next term will be 28 + 8 = 36.
Hence, answer is 36. 4. Find the wrong term in the following
series: 121, 81, 21, 6, 2.
Note: Here, the difference between the
terms of the given series is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, …
So, the difference between the difference of Perfect square series
the terms is 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, … This type of series is based on the square
So, it is a series with second level difference of a number that is in the same order There
same. may be some additional pattern along with
the squares of the numbers.
If you observe carefully,
3 = ½ (22 + 2)
6 = ½ (32 + 3)
10 = ½ (42 + 4)
15 = ½ (52 + 5) … and so on

10 Coding-Decoding and Series

Example 12: y This variety of series questions requires you
442, 483, 530, 575, ? to remember the alphabetic positions of
the letters (as discussed earlier in coding-
Solution: 626 decoding), along with other mathematical
442 = 212 + 1, 483 = 222 − 1, 530 = 232 + 1, 575 operations (sum, product, square, etc.)
= 242 − 1, 626 = 252 + 1. Let’s take some examples to understand the
approach to solving such questions.
Hence, answer is 626.
Example 15:
Perfect cube series
A, C, F, J, ?, ?
This type of series is based on a cube
of a number, along with some additional Solution: O, U
patterns as discussed earlier. A (B) C; C (D, E) F; F (G, H, I) J; J (K, L, M, N)
O; O (P, Q, R, S, T) U
Example 13:
So, the next terms are O and U.
1331, 1728, 2197, ?
Hence, answer is O, U.
Solution: 143
Example 16:
113, 123, 133, 143
BMO, EOQ, HQS, ?
Hence, answer is (143).
Solution: KSU
Mixed series
See all the first letters of the given series: B
In this type of series, more than one differ-
(C, D) E; E (F, G) H; H (I, J) K.
ent order is given in a series which is ar-
ranged alternatively in a single series or Now, see all the second letters of the given
created according to any non-conventional series: M (N) O; O (P) Q; Q (R) S.
rule. The following example of a mixed se- Now, see all the third letters of the given se-
ries describes the above perfectly. ries: O (P) Q; Q (R) S; S (T) U.
Example 14: So, the next term will be KSU.
11, 24, 50, 102, 206, ? Hence, answer is KSU.

Solution: 414 Alphanumeric series

11 × 2 = 22 + 2 = 24 It is a jumbled combination of alphabetic
and numeric series.
24 × 2 = 48 + 2 = 50
50 × 2 = 100 + 2 = 102 Example 17:
102 × 2 = 204 + 2 = 206 Z1A, X2D, V6G, T21J, R88M, ?
206 × 2 = 412 + 2 = 414 Solution: P445P
So, the missing number is 414. The series formed by the numerals 1, 2, 6, 21,
Hence, answer is 414. and 88, follow the pattern: × 1 + 1, × 2 + 2, ×
3 + 3, × 4 + 4, …
Letter series
So, numeral in the desired term = 88 × 5 +
y The letter series questions require you to 5 = 445.
identify the pattern of the given sequence
Observe the first letters of all the terms: Z
and choose the missing letter or the next
(Y) X; X (W) V; V (U) T; T (S) R; R (Q) P.
letter in the sequence or even the wrong
term in the sequence.

Coding-Decoding and Series 11

 Observe the second letters of all the terms: Example 19:
A (B, C) D; D (E, F) G; G (H, I) J; J (K, L) M; M ppq _ ppp _ qqp _
(N, O) P.
(A) qqp
So, the next term in the series will be P445P. (B) pqq
Hence, answer is P445P. (C) qpq
(D) pqp
Example 18:
(E) qqq
The following sets of three characters form
Solution: (A)
a pattern. Which of the following is the odd
one out: G4T, J10R, M20P, P43N? Step 1: Fill the first blank space with ‘q’ so
that you can have two ps are followed by
Solution: J10R two qs.
Observe the pattern followed by the first let- Step 2: Fill the second blank space either
ter in all the terms: G (H, I) J; J (K, L) M; M with ‘p’ (so that you have four ps followed by
(N, O) P. two qs) or with ‘q’ (so that you have three ps
Observe the pattern followed by the second followed by three qs).
letter in all the terms: T (S) R; R (Q) P; P (O) Step 3: The last space must be filled by ‘p’
N. to have any of the above two possible pat-
Observe the pattern followed by the numer- terns repeated.
als in all the terms. It follows ‘× 2 + 1’ pattern. Step 4: So, now you can have two possible
Hence, if × 2 + 1 rule is satisfied then the answers: ‘qpp’ and ‘qqp’. But only ‘qpp’ ap-
second term should be J9R. pears in the choices. Thus, option (A), i.e.
qqp is the answer.
This rule can be applied to the whole series
except the second term. Note: In such questions, there are multiple
So, J10R is the odd one out. ways possible. But, by the given answer
options, the other possibilities can be
Hence, answer is J10R.
eliminated.
Continuous pattern series For example,
y This type of question usually consists p p q _ p p p _ q q p _
of a sequence of letters (which follow a
By filling the blanks with ‘ppq’, it becomes, p
certain pattern) with some letters that
p q q p p p p q q p p.
will be missing from the series.
y You are asked to choose the correct Now observe by taking groups of three let-
alternative with the missing letters in a ters: ppq | qpp | ppq | qpp.
proper sequence. It forms a perfect pattern of ‘ppq’ and ‘qpp’,
Let’s look at one example. alternately.

12 Coding-Decoding and Series

 Practice Exercise

Level of Difficulty – 1

1. In a certain code language, if MATHS 6. Find the next term in the given series:
= 16, VERBAL = 06, then find the code of A9B, B25C, C49D, D81E, ______
SCIENCE. (A) E144F
(A) 85 (B) E121G
(B) 87 (C) F121E
(C) 89 (D) E121F
(D) 91
7. Complete the following series: AYX, ZWU,
2. In a certain code language, if violet is YUR ___.
called red, red is called green, green is (A) XVS
called yellow, yellow is called blue, and (B) XSO
blue is called brown, then what is the (C) XSS
colour of grass in that language? (D) XVO
(A) Green
(B) Blue 8. Study the following alphabet series and
(C) Yellow answer the question given below:
(D) Cannot be determined L and N 3 ? M U = 6 J Z L ↑ * T M 5 D 2
↓G8E>4P%J@#9B7
3. In a certain code language, if ‘M O S Q U If all the symbols are deleted, then which
I T O’ is coded as ‘O N U P W H V N’ then is the 5th element to the left of the 17th
how will ‘E L E P H A N T’ be coded? element from the left end?
(A) K G O G Z J S P (A) 5
(B) G K G O J Z P S (B) B
(C) G K O G Z J P S (C) D
(D) K G G O J Z P S (D) Z

4. In a certain coding language ‘YELLOW’ is 9. Complete the following series: 4, 8, 11,

written as ‘ZGOPTC’. In the same coding 55, 62, 682, _________.
language ‘ORANGE’ will be written as: (A) 693
(A) PTDRLK (B) 695
(B) PTDLKR (C) 697
(C) LPTRLD (D) 699
(D) PKLRDQ
10. Complete the following series: 6, 15, 35,
5. In a certain coding language ‘LOAFER’ is 77, 143, 221, ___________.
written as ‘MMBDFP’. In the same coding (A) 319
language ‘SHORTS’ will be written as: (B) 321
(A) TTEPHQ (C) 323
(B) TPPUPF (D) 325
(C) PTPUFQ
(D) TFPPUQ

Coding-Decoding and Series 13

 Directions for Questions 11 to 15: Complete 14. 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 15, ____, 25
the following series. (A) 16
(B) 18
11. 12, 14, 18, 26, 38, 62, ____ (C) 20
(A) 80 (D) 22
(B) 76
(C) 74 15. 0, 4, 48, 180, 448, ____
(D) 72 (A) 900
(B) 1010
12. 12, 36, 150, 392, 1452, ____ (C) 1331
(A) 2197 (D) 1480
(B) 2246
(C) 2312
(D) 2366

13. 7, 15, 32, 65, 132, ____, 532

(A) 267
(B) 265
(C) 264
(D) 263

14 Coding-Decoding and Series

Level of Difficulty – 2

Directions for Questions 1 to 3: Study the (C) 10 41 04 55 03 56

following two tables and find the codes for (D) 23 14 31 32 30 87
the words given:
3. Which of the following can be the code
0 1 2 3 4 for HOSTAGE?
(A) 21 24 57 79 04 42 33
0 P D E H A (B) 03 77 40 79 65 58 02
(C) 56 24 95 11 31 12 75
1 B T G K R (D) 98 77 04 44 58 85 99
2 U H Y B O 4. If 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = 49 and 6 + 7 + 8 + 9
+ 10 = 16. Then what is the value of 9 + 10
3 C A N E D
+ 11 + 12 + 13?
4 S R F L T (A) 81
(B) 121
5 6 7 8 9 (C) 64
(D) 100
5 N H S A B
5. Which number will replace the ?? in the
6 A D L U V table below?
5 2 17
7 E W O C T
7 4 39
8 G U H D L 8 5 53

9 S P C H E 9 3 ??

The table has to be interpreted as men- (A) 39

tioned below: (B) 75
(C) 49
Code for A can be: 04 or 31 or 65 or 58.
(D) 40
Code for R can be: 14 or 41.
6. In a certain code language, if ENERGY is
Also, BAD can be coded as 59 31 34.
coded as CLCPEW, then what is the code
1. Which of the following can be the code of FORTUNE?
for DOUBLE? (A) DMPQSLC
(A) 01 24 20 95 89 02 (B) DMPRTLC
(B) 66 24 86 59 43 75 (C) DMQRSLC
(C) 88 77 68 10 67 88 (D) DMPRSLC
(D) 34 77 68 23 76 33 7. In a certain code language, A is repre-
2. Which of the following can be the code sented by 1, B by 2, and C by 3. Also, all
for BRANCH? the letters whose positions are multiples
of 2 are given a code of 2, similarly, all
(A) 23 14 58 55 97 12
the letters whose positions are multiples
(B) 59 41 58 55 97 65
of 3 are given a code of 3, and in case of

Coding-Decoding and Series 15

 a clash code of 2 prevails. The rest of the 11. Select the correct option from the given
letters are given a code of 4. What is the choices to fill in the blanks. ADZ, BFV,
code for VOWEL in this code language? ______, HJN, PLJ.
(A) 23432 (A) DHR
(B) 24342 (B) EGS
(C) 23442 (C) DGT
(D) 23424 (D) EHT

8. In a certain code language, if all the posi- 12. Fill in the blanks: EL-60, BK-44, DP-192,
tional values of the letters that are prime CT-240, FO-___.
numbers are represented by 2 and the (A) 450
remaining letters are coded as 1, find the (B) 475
code of the word TOGETHER. (C) 500
(A) 11211121 (D) 550
(B) 11221122
(C) 11211221 13. Find the next term: 600 J 32, 150 Q 128,
(D) 11221121 50 M 384, 25 T 768, ______.
(A) 12.5 P 768
9. In a certain code language, if the value (B) 25 Q 768
of INVADER is 42 and SECURE is 30, then (C) 25 P 384
what is the value of SITUATION? (D) 25 P 768
(A) 81
(B) 72 14. Complete the following series: 150, 392,
(C) 63 810, 1452, 2366, _________.
(D) 90 (A) 3500
(B) 3520
10. In a certain code language, if the value (C) 3560
of CUSTOM is 22 and LABOUR is 20, then (D) 3600
what is the value of HISTORY?
(A) 49 15. Complete the following series: 34, 55, 89,
(B) 48 144, 233, 377, _________.
(C) 46 (A) 600
(D) 42 (B) 604
(C) 608
(D) 610

16 Coding-Decoding and Series

Level of Difficulty – 3

1. In a certain code language, if ‘BLACK’ is ‘Look skyline nose normal’ is coded as ‘O11
coded as 123 73 128 118 78, then how will K15 S11 A13’,
‘WHITE’ be coded in that language? ‘Twice pen white honour’ is coded as ‘W13
(A) 16 95 89 35 109 E11 H13 U13’, and
(B) 15 93 88 33 110
‘Rubber farm clothes quest’ is coded as ‘E13
(C) 14 94 86 37 112
R11 L15 U13’.
(D) 18 93 88 33 108

2. In a certain code language, if ‘MATHS’ 6. What is the code for the word ‘Education’?
is coded as 640 and ‘ENGLISH’ is cod- (A) D18
ed as 3,78,000, then how will the word (B) O18
‘SCIENCE’ be coded? (C) O17
(A) 98,500 (D) D17
(B) 1,01,250
7. Which of the following word is coded as
(C) 1,08,350
‘L13’?
(D) 1,15,600
(A) Ocean
3. In a certain code language, ‘MANAGE’ is (B) People
coded as 27, and ‘OSCAR’ is coded as 24, (C) Matrix
then how will the word ‘NICE’ be coded? (D) Bear
(A) 31
8. Which of the following is definitely true?
(B) 3
(A) Park – N12
(C) 30
(B) Green – R13
(D) 6
(C) Earning – N14
4. In a certain code language, the value of (D) Slope – P13
‘HISTORY’ = 49 and ‘MATHS’ = 21, then
9. What is the code for ‘annual function’?
what is the value of the word ‘SCIENCE’?
(A) A13 O15
(A) 40
(B) N13 U18
(B) 38
(C) N13 O15
(C) 45
(D) A12 O17
(D) 50
10. Which of the following word is coded as
5. In a certain code language, ‘M A S T E R’
‘R13 E13’?
is coded as ‘N Z H G V I’ then how will the
(A) List Down
word ‘R I F L E’ be coded?
(B) Matrix Out
(A) I R V O U
(C) Great Movies
(B) R I U O V
(D) Bad System
(C) I R U O V
(D) R I O U V 11. Complete the following series: 30, 36, 42,
Direction for Questions 6 to 10: In a certain 52, 60, 68, _________
code language, some statements are coded (A) 76
as follows: (B) 78
‘Keys region mouse paper’ is coded as ‘Y11 (C) 80
O13 O13 A13’, (D) 82

Coding-Decoding and Series 17

 12. Complete the following series: 16, 22, 26, 14. Complete the following series: 5, 6, 13,
38, 62, 74, ________ 40, 161, _______
(A) 102 (A) 694
(B) 105 (B) 724
(C) 110 (C) 758
(D) 116 (D) 796

13. Complete the following series: 17, 52, 174, 15. Find out the wrong term in the following
464, 1500, ______ series: 10, 8, 13, 35, 135, 670, 4007.
(A) 2342 (A) 8
(B) 2424 (B) 670
(C) 2486 (C) 135
(D) 2534 (D) 35

18 Coding-Decoding and Series

Level of Difficulty – 1

1. (A) O R A N G E
In this question, the reverse of the sum 1  2  3  4  5  6 
of the place values of the letters in the
P T D R L K
word is the code.
MATHS = 13 + 1 + 20 + 8 + 19 = 61 and the Hence, option (A) is correct.
code is 16.
VERBAL = 22 + 5+ 18 + 2 + 1 + 12 = 60 and 5. (D)
the code is 06. The word LOAFER will be coded as
Similarly,
SCIENCE = 19 + 3 + 9 + 5 + 14 + 3 + 5 = 58 L
S O
H A
O F
R TE R
S
and the code is 85. 1 22 1
1 1 22 1
1  22
Hence, option (A) is correct. M
T M
F B
P D
P UF P
Q
2. (C) Similarly, SHORTS will be coded as
The colour of the grass is green and green
is called yellow in this language. S H O R T S
Hence, option (C) is correct. 1  2  1  2  1  2 
T F P P U Q
3. (B)
Hence, option (D) is correct.

6. (D)
The first letter in the given terms of the
series includes consecutive letters start-
Similarly: ing with A, so the required first letter is
E.
The second letter in the given terms of
the series are consecutive letters start-
ing with B, so the required second letter
Hence, option (B) is correct.
is F.
Note: In the exam, it would not be necessary The number in the middle is the square
to do the last five steps (i.e., P to T), because of the sum of the place values of the let-
once GKG is obtained as the first 3 letters of ters on either side of it, so the required
the code, we can pick the correct option. number is 121.
Hence, option (D) is correct.
4. (A)
The word YELLOW is coded as 7. (B)
By close observation, it is clear that each
Y E L L O W letter has been subtracted by the num-
1  2  3  4  5  6  ber of its position. For example, A was
Z G O P T C subtracted by 1, Z was obtained, Y was
subtracted by 2, and W was obtained.
Similarly, ORANGE will be coded as Therefore, each letter is subtracted by
(1, 2, 3).
Hence, option (B) is correct.

Coding-Decoding and Series 19

 8. (A) × 2) = 14, 14 + (1 × 4) = 18 and so on.
Given series: L & N 3 ? M U = 6 J Z L ↑ * 62 + (6 × 2) = 74.
T M 5 D 2 ↓ G 8 E > 4 P % J @ # 9 B 7. Hence, option (C) is correct.
After eliminating all symbols, the new
12. (D)
series is: L N 3 M U 6 J Z L T M 5 D 2 G 8
E 4 P J 9 B 7. First prime no 22 + 23 = 12, next prime no
Fifth element to the left of 17th element 32 + 33 = 36, the next prime number 52 +
from the left end b = 12th element from 53 = 150, and so on.
the left end = 5 132 + 133 = 2,366.
Hence, option (A) is correct. Hence, option (D) is correct.

9. (B) 13. (B)

The given series can be written as: 4 Multiply the previous number to 2 and
× 2, 8 + 3, 11 × 5, 55 + 7, 62 × 11, 682, add 1 or 2 in alternate cases. Like (7 × 2)
___________. + 1 = 15, (15 × 2) + 2 = 32, (32 × 2) + 1 = 65,
The numbers are alternatively multi- and so on.
plied by and added to consecutive prime (132 × 2) + 1 = 265.
numbers in increasing order. So, the next Hence, option (B) is correct.
number in the series is 682 + 13 = 695. 14. (C)
Hence, option (B) is correct. Each group of consecutive three num-
10. (C) bers is a Pythagorean Triplet. Like 62 + 82
Given series: 6, 15, 35, 77, 143, 221, = 102, 122 + 162 = 202, and so on.
___________ 152 + 202 = 252.
is 2 × 3, 3 × 5, 5 × 7, 7 × 11, 11 × 13, 13 × 17, Hence, option (C) is correct.
_______ 15. (A)
The given series can be written as prod- Each number is the difference between
uct of two consecutive primes. So, the cubes and squares of consecutive even
next term should be 17 × 19 = 323. numbers starting from 0. Like 03 – 02 = 0,
Hence, option (C) is correct. 23 – 22 = 4, and so on.
11. (C) 103 – 102 = 900.
The product of the digits in each num- Hence, option (A) is correct.
ber is added to the number itself
to get the next number. Like 12 + (1

20 Coding-Decoding and Series

Level of Difficulty – 2

Common explanation for Questions 1 to 3 7. (C)

There are multiple codes for each letter, as The position of V is 22. As per conditions
per the given two tables. We need to identi- of coding, V = 2.
fy which option gives us the correct possi- Position of O is 15. As per conditions of
ble code for each letter in the given word, in coding, O = 3.
that order. The position of W is 23. As per conditions
of coding, W = 4.
Keeping that in mind, we can get the follow-
The position of E is 5. As per conditions
ing answers:
of coding, E = 4.
The position of L is 12. As per conditions
1. (B)
of coding, L = 2.
66 24 86 59 43 75.
Hence, option (C) is correct.
Hence, option (B) is correct.
8. (D)
2. (D)
Only G and E in ‘TOGETHER’ represent
D: 23 14 31 32 30 87.
prime number positional values and
Hence, option (D) is correct.
hence they are represented by 2. Rest
3. (C) are 1s.
56 24 95 11 31 12 75. Hence, option (D) is correct.
Hence, option (C) is correct.
9. (B)
4. (D) Number of letters in INVADER = 7,
3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = 25, 2 + 5 = 7, 7² = 49. so (7 × 6) = 42.
6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 = 40, 4 + 0 = 4, 4² = 16. Number of letters in SECURE = 6,
9 + 10 + 11 + 12 + 13 = 55, 5 + 5 = 10, so (6 × 5) = 30.
10² = 100. Similarly, number of letters in SITUATION
Hence, option (D) is correct. = 9, so 9 × 8 = 72.
Hence, option (B) is correct.
5. (A)
(First column number × second column 10. (A)
number) + (first column number + sec- In CUSTOM,
ond column number) = third column C = 3rd letter
number U = 21st letter = 2 × 1 = 2.
i.e., S = 19th letter = 1 × 9 = 9.
(5 × 2) + (5 + 2) = 10 + 7 = 17. T = 20th letter = 2 × 0 = 0.
(7 × 4) + (7 + 4) = 28 + 11 = 39. O = 15th letter = 1 × 5 = 5.
(8 × 5) + (8 + 5) = 40 + 13 = 53. M = 13th letter = 1 × 3 = 3.
(9 × 3) + (9 + 3) = 27 + 12 = 39. (3 + 2 + 9 + 0 + 5 + 3) = 22.
Hence, option (A) is correct. Similarly, LABOUR = 20.
In the same way, HISTORY = 49
6. (D) Hence, option (A) is correct.
E – 2 = C, N – 2 = L, E – 2 = C, R – 2 = P,
G – 2 = E, Y – 2 = W
Similarly, FORTUNE is coded as DMPRSLC.
Hence, option (D) is correct.

Coding-Decoding and Series 21

 11. (A) T−4=P
Consider the corresponding letters in For third term:
each of the given sets of letters. 32 × 4 = 128
First letter: A × 2, B × 2, D × 2, H × 2, P. 128 × 3 = 384
Second letter: D + 2, F + 2, H + 2, J + 2, L. 384 × 2 = 768
Third letter: Z − 4, V − 4, R − 4, N − 4, J. 768 × 1 = 768
Hence, option (A) is correct. Hence, option (D) is correct.

12. (A) 14. (D)

The number is (the product of two Given series: 150, 392, 810, 1452, 2366,
alphabets) × (1, 2, 3, 4, …) ......................
E-5, L-12 ⇒ 5 × 12 × 1 = 60 is 53 + 5², 73 + 7², 93 + 9², 113 + 11², 133 + 13²,
B-2, K-11 ⇒ 2 × 11 × 2 = 44 __________.
…. The next number in the series is 153 + 15²
F-6, O-15 ⇒ 6 × 15 × 5 = 450 = 3,600.
Hence, option (A) is correct. Hence, option (D) is correct.

13. (D) 15. (D)

For first term: In this series, the next term is obtained
600 / 4 = 150 by adding the previous two terms, start-
150 / 3 = 50 ing from the third term.
50 / 2 = 25 34 + 55 = 89
25 / 1 = 25 55 + 89 = 144
For second term: 89 + 144 = 233
J+7=Q 144 + 233 = 377
Q−4=M 233 + 377 = 610
M+7=T Hence, option (D) is correct.

22 Coding-Decoding and Series

Level of Difficulty – 3

1. (D) 4. (B)
Each letter is replaced by (5 × Place value In the question, the product of digits in
in the reverse order) – 2. the place-values of the letters as ob-
In this coding pattern, ‘WHITE’ will be tained from the alphabet first and then
coded as ‘18 93 88 33 108’. added, i.e., HISTORY
Hence, option (D) is correct. H=8
I=9
2. (B) S = 19, 1 × 9 = 9
In this, the sum of the digits in the place T = 20, 2 × 0 = 0
value of the letters as per the alphabet is O = 15, 1 × 5 = 5
obtained first and then multiplied. R = 18, 1 × 8 = 8
For ‘MATHS’ Y = 25, 2 × 5 = 10
M = 13, 1 + 3 = 4 Now, (8 + 9 + 9 + 0 + 5 + 8 + 10) = 49
A=1 Similarly, MATHS = 21
T = 20, 2 + 0 = 2 For, SCIENCE
H=8 S = 19, 1 × 9 = 9
S = 19, 1 + 9 = 10 C=3
Now, (4 × 1 × 2 × 8 × 10) = 640 I=9
Similarly, ‘ENGLISH’ = 3,78,000 and E=5
‘SCIENCE’ = 1,01,250. N = 14, 1 × 4 = 4
Hence, option (B) is correct. C=3
3. (B) E=5
Now, (9 + 3 + 9 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 5) = 38
Let us analyse the logic behind the codes
Hence, option (B) is correct.
assigned to the above-mentioned words.
MANAGE is coded as 27, here the logic is 5. (C)
that the difference between the sum of Two alphabets are called opposite let-
the numerical value of consonants and ters when they are equidistant from the
the sum of the numerical value of vowels extreme alphabets, so the sum of their
is taken. positional values is 27.
The numeric values of the letters are cal- Opposite letter
culated by considering A as 1 and Z as 26.
(M + N + G) – (A + A + E)
(13 + 14 + 7) – (1 + 1 + 5)
34 – 7 = 27.
Likewise, the code for OSCAR is (S + C + Similarly,
R) – (O + A) Opposite letter
(19 + 3 + 18) – (15 + 1)
= 40 – 16 = 24
Similarly, the code for NICE will be (N +
C) – (I + E)
(14 + 3) – (9 + 5)
17 − 14 = 3
Hence, option (C) is correct.
Hence, option (B) is correct.

Coding-Decoding and Series 23

 6. (D) 10. (C)
y The logic for the first letter in the code As we discussed the logic before, the code
is as explained below: for the word ‘Great Movies’ is ‘R13 E13’.
o Take the second letter from Hence, option (C) is correct.
the right end of the word if the
number of letters in the word is 11. (B)
even, else take the second letter Given series: 30, 36, 42, 52, 60, 68,
from the left end of the word _________.
(i.e., if the number of letters in The sum of the consecutive prime num-
the word is odd). bers is given.
y T
 he logic for the number in the code 13 + 17 = 30, 17 + 19 = 36, 19 + 23 = 42, 23
is as explained below: + 29 = 52, 29 + 31 = 60, 31 + 37 = 68. So,
o Consider the number of letters in next term is 37 + 41 = 78.
the word and add 7 if the number Hence, option (B) is correct.
of letters in the word is even, else
12. (A)
the number of letters in the word
+ 8 (i.e., if the number of letters Given series: 16, 22, 26, 38, 62, 74,
in the word is odd). ________.
The product of the digits in each number
y For example: ‘keys’ is coded as ‘Y11’, is added to the number to get the next
because the number of letters is even number in the series.
so the second letter from the right end 16 is 1 × 6 = 6 and 16 + 6 = 22, 22 is 2 × 2
is ‘Y’ and the number of letters in the = 4 and 22 + 4 = 26, and so on.
word is 4 and the code is 4 + 7 = 11. Similarly, 74 is 7 × 4 = 28 and 74 + 28 =
y Also, ‘mouse’ is coded as ‘O13’ because 102.
the number of letters is odd so the Hence, option (A) is correct.
second letter from the left end is ‘O’
and the number of letters in the word 13. (C)
is 5 and the code is 5 + 8 = 13. Given series: 17, 52, 174, 464, 1500, ______.
Similarly, the code for the word The given series can be written as
‘Education’ is ‘D17’. 23 + 3², 33 + 5², 53 + 7², 73 + 11²,
113 + 13², ______.
Hence, option (D) is correct. The next term should be 133 + 17² = 2,486.
7. (B) Hence, option (C) is correct.
As we discussed the logic before, the 14. (D)
code for the word ‘People’ is ‘L13’. The actual series can be written as
Hence, option (B) is correct. follows: 5 × 1 + 1, 6 × 2 + 1, 13 × 3 + 1, 40
8. (B) × 4 + 1, 161, _______.
So, next term of the series is 161 × 5 + 1
As we discussed the logic before, Green
= 806.
being R13 is definitely true.
Hence, option (D) is correct.
Hence, option (B) is correct.
15. (B)
9. (A)
The actual series can be written as fol-
As we discussed the logic before, the
lows: 10 × 1 – 2, 8 × 2 – 3, 13 × 3 – 4, 35 ×
code for the word ‘annual function’ is ‘A13
4 – 5, 135 × 5 – 6, 669 × 6 – 7, 4,007.
O15’.
So, 670 is the wrong term in the series.
Hence, option (A) is correct.
Hence, option (B) is correct.

24 Coding-Decoding and Series

 Rack Your Brain Rack Your Brain

1. 6357 4. 81
WEATHER CATCH 121, 81, 21, 6, 2.
1 3 56 937 256 29 The series follows the pattern as
explained below:
So, T = 6, E = 3, A = 5, and R = 7 [(121 − 1) ÷ 2] + 1 = 61
So, the code for ‘TEAR’ will be: 6,357. [(61 − 1) ÷ 3] + 1 = 21
Hence, the answer is 6,357. [(21 − 1) ÷ 4] + 1 = 6
[(6 − 1) ÷ 5] + 1 = 2

So, there should be 61 in place

Rack Your Brain of ‘81’.
Hence, the answer is 81.
2. Table
We wear clothes. Since the cloth
is called Table, the answer will be
‘Table’.

Rack Your Brain

3. gim
By comparing the two phrases, we
can figure out that the codes for ‘are’
and ‘you’ should be ‘sim’ and ‘tim’,
not necessarily in the same order.
But still, we can say that ‘gim’ must
be the code for the word ‘who’.
Hence, ‘gim’ is the answer.

Coding-Decoding and Series 25