Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: 13
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question uses a number code based on the digits that occupy specific positions. The first pair 58531 : 11 suggests that the number 11 has been obtained from 58531 by performing a certain operation on its digits. The same operation must then be applied to 78363 in order to find the correct related number. Such coding and decoding questions are common in reasoning sections and often involve position wise sums or differences of digits.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- First number: 58531, composed of digits 5, 8, 5, 3, and 1.
- Its code: 11, given as the second number in the pair.
- Second number: 78363, composed of digits 7, 8, 3, 6, and 3.
- The same coding rule must be applied to 78363 to obtain the missing number from the options 11, 13, 9, and 7.
Concept / Approach:
In many such codes, the sum of digits at specific positions is used. If we take the first, third, and fifth digits of 58531 and add them, we get 5 + 5 + 1 = 11, which matches the given code. This suggests that the rule is to add the digits in positions one, three, and five. To verify, we then apply the same rule to 78363 by summing its first, third, and fifth digits. This produces a new number, which we compare with the answer options to select the correct one.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Break 58531 into its digits: 5 (first), 8 (second), 5 (third), 3 (fourth), and 1 (fifth).
Step 2: Sum the first, third, and fifth digits: 5 + 5 + 1 = 11.
Step 3: Confirm that this sum equals the given related number 11, so the rule is consistent.
Step 4: Break 78363 into its digits: 7 (first), 8 (second), 3 (third), 6 (fourth), and 3 (fifth).
Step 5: Sum the first, third, and fifth digits: 7 + 3 + 3 = 13.
Step 6: Check options and find that 13 is present as option B, making it the correct related number.
Verification / Alternative check:
To ensure this is the intended rule, we can test other simple patterns such as summing all digits, summing only even position digits, or summing even digits. The total sum of digits of 58531 is 22, not 11, so that pattern does not match. The sum of second and fourth digits is 8 + 3 = 11, but applying that to 78363 would give 8 + 6 = 14, which is not an option. The first, third, and fifth digit sum rule fits cleanly for both numbers and gives an answer that appears in the option list, so it is the most logical coding rule.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, 11, incorrectly repeats the first code outcome instead of applying the rule to the new number. Option C, 9, and option D, 7, do not match any natural combination of the specified position sums for 78363 under the rule derived from 58531. Selecting any of these would break the consistency of the coding scheme and hence must be rejected.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners rush to sum all digits and stop when they see a familiar number, without checking that the same logic works for every example. Others may not pay attention to positions and incorrectly assume a different pattern. It is crucial to test any suspected rule on both the given example and the unknown case. Only rules that hold for all relevant numbers and produce an option present in the list should be accepted in coding type questions.
Final Answer:
Using the rule of summing the first, third, and fifth digits, 58531 maps to 11 and 78363 maps to 13, so option B is the correct answer.
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