In a certain code, MEDICINE is written as EOJDJEFM. How is COMPUTER written in that code?

Appeared in: RML 2023

Explanation

The coding logic involves a three-step process.
First, the first and last letters of the original word are swapped.
Second, the sequence of letters in the middle of the word is reversed.
Third, each letter in this reversed middle sequence is shifted one position forward in the alphabet (e.g., A becomes B, B becomes C).
Applying this to COMPUTER: 'C' and 'R' are swapped. The middle 'OMPUTE' is reversed to 'ETUPMO'. Shifting 'ETUPMO' by +1 gives 'FUVQNP'.
Combining the parts results in R + FUVQNP + C, which is RFUVQNPC.

Option B: This option incorrectly starts the middle sequence with 'S' instead of 'F'. The first letter of the reversed middle sequence is 'E', and E+1 is 'F', not 'S'.
Option C: This option fails to swap the first and last letters ('C' and 'R'). It appears to follow a different, incorrect pattern.
Option D: This option is the reverse of COMPUTER (RETUPMOC). It only applies the reversal step to the entire word and misses the letter swapping and shifting steps.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning - Coding and Decoding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question does not test clinical knowledge but assesses logical reasoning and pattern recognition.
These cognitive skills are crucial for nurses in clinical problem-solving, such as interpreting changing patient symptoms, identifying trends in vital signs, and troubleshooting equipment.
What if the pattern was a simple -1 shift on all letters? Then MEDICINE would become LDHJBHMD and COMPUTER would become BNLOQSDQ.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully write down the given word (MEDICINE) and its code (EOJDJEFM) to analyze their relationship.
Check for simple patterns first: letter shifts (e.g., every letter moves +1 or -1), reversal of the word, or pairs of letters swapping.
Observe the first and last letters. Notice that the first letter of the code ('E') is the last letter of the word, and the last letter of the code ('M') is the first letter of the word. This indicates a swap.
Isolate the middle letters of the word (EDICIN) and the code (OJDJEF) to find the pattern connecting them.
Test the hypothesis of reversing the middle letters ('NICIDE') and then applying a shift. N+1=O, I+1=J, C+1=D, etc. This confirms the pattern.
Once the multi-step pattern is confirmed (swap ends, reverse middle, shift middle +1), apply it systematically to the word 'COMPUTER' to derive the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QYqvcrwfKKmapbfiT2vkIR

Practise the full RML 2023

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