If Pond is coded as RSTL, how is HEAR written in that code?

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Mumbai-2015

Explanation

The coding logic involves shifting each letter of the original word forward in the alphabet.
The shift follows an arithmetic progression of even numbers: the first letter is shifted by +2, the second by +4, the third by +6, and the fourth by +8.
Applying this pattern to 'HEAR': H(8)+2=J(10), E(5)+4=I(9), A(1)+6=G(7), R(18)+8=Z(26).
Therefore, the resulting code for 'HEAR' is 'JIGZ'.

Option A: This option results from applying incorrect shifts. It does not follow the established pattern of +2, +4, +6, +8.
Option B: This option fails to apply the correct progressive shift pattern. For example, H+2=J, not G.
Option D: This option correctly codes the first and last letters (H->J, R->Z) but fails on the middle letters (E and A), indicating an inconsistent application of the pattern.

Visual 1: Flowchart: A flowchart could visually represent the step-by-step process: 1. Take a letter from 'HEAR'. 2. Determine its alphabetical position. 3. Apply the corresponding shift (+2, +4, +6, or +8). 4. Find the new letter. 5. Repeat for all letters to form 'JIGZ'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning - Coding-Decoding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This type of question does not test clinical knowledge but is common in the reasoning and general aptitude sections of nursing entrance exams.
It assesses logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills, which are essential for critical thinking in clinical practice.
What if the pattern was a simple +2 shift for all letters? In that case, 'HEAR' would be coded as 'JGCT'.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the relationship between the given word ('POND') and its code ('RSTL').
Convert each letter to its corresponding position in the alphabet (e.g., A=1, B=2, ...).
Calculate the difference in position between each letter and its corresponding code letter (P to R, O to S, etc.).
Identify the pattern in these differences. Here, the pattern is an increasing sequence of even numbers: +2, +4, +6, +8.
Apply this identified pattern to the letters of the new word ('HEAR').
Convert the resulting numerical positions back to letters to find the final code.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Staff Nurse Mumbai-2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.