Atbash (mirror-alphabet) cipher: BLOCKED : YOLXPVW :: ? : OZFMXS
Correct Answer: LAUNCH
Introduction / Context:This analogy employs the classic Atbash (mirror-alphabet) cipher, where each letter maps to its mirror from the opposite end of the alphabet (A↔Z, B↔Y, C↔X, …). Recognizing Atbash is useful in many coding-decoding contexts.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- BLOCKED encodes to YOLXPVW under Atbash.
- We must find a word that encodes to OZFMXS under the same mapping.
- Atbash is its own inverse; applying it twice returns the original text.
Concept / Approach:To decode OZFMXS, apply Atbash to each letter: original = mirror of encoded. Then match the resulting plaintext to one of the options.
Step-by-Step Solution:
O↔L, Z↔A, F↔U, M↔N, X↔C, S↔H.Thus, OZFMXS decodes to LAUNCH.Check: Apply Atbash to LAUNCH → OZFMXS, confirming the mapping.Verification / Alternative check:Because Atbash is an involution, encoding and decoding are identical operations. One forward pass suffices to verify both directions.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- DEBATE/RESULT/LABOR: Their Atbash encodings do not equal OZFMXS; each produces a different 6-letter string.
Common Pitfalls:Confusing Atbash with Caesar shifts or forgetting it maps A↔Z, B↔Y, etc. Always write the mirror pairs or remember the formula: position′ = 27 − position.
Final Answer:LAUNCH