In a certain code, if BHOPAL is written as EERMDI, then how will POWDER be written in the same code?

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Delhi-2015

Explanation

The coding logic involves shifting the alphabetical position of each letter.
The pattern is an alternating series: the first letter's position is increased by 3, the second is decreased by 3, the third is increased by 3, and so on.
Applying this +3, -3, +3, -3, +3, -3 sequence to the letters of 'POWDER' yields 'SLZAHO'.

Option B: This option results from incorrectly applying a consistent +3 shift to every letter of 'POWDER' (P+3=S, O+3=R, W+3=Z, D+3=G, E+3=H, R+3=U).
Option C: This option does not follow any consistent mathematical or logical pattern derived from the example 'BHOPAL' -> 'EERMDI'. The shifts between letters are erratic (e.g., P to N is -2, O to U is +6).
Option D: This option also fails to apply the established +3, -3 alternating pattern. The letter shifts are inconsistent (e.g., P to N is -2, O to R is +3, W to U is -2).

Visual 1: Flowchart - A flowchart illustrating the step-by-step process: 1. Take a letter from 'POWDER'. 2. Check its position (odd or even). 3. If odd, add 3 to its alphabetical value. 4. If even, subtract 3. 5. Find the new letter. 6. Repeat for all letters.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning - Coding-Decoding by Letter Position as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general intelligence and reasoning question, not related to a clinical or nursing concept.
Skills in logical deduction and pattern recognition are valuable in clinical settings for diagnostics and problem-solving, but this specific question tests abstract reasoning.
What if the pattern was reversed (e.g., -3, +3, -3, +3)? The answer would change completely, highlighting the importance of correctly identifying the initial step of the pattern.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully analyze the relationship between the given word (BHOPAL) and its code (EERMDI) to identify the underlying rule.
Convert the letters to their numerical positions in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26).
Calculate the positional difference between each corresponding letter of the word and the code (e.g., B(2) to E(5) is +3; H(8) to E(5) is -3).
Identify the repeating pattern from these differences. Here, the pattern is an alternating +3 and -3.
Apply this exact pattern to the letters of the question word ('POWDER').
Convert the resulting numerical positions back into letters to form the final coded word and match it with the given options.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Staff Nurse Delhi-2015

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