In a certain code language, "PUNISHED" is written as "288" and "TAILOR" is written as "225". Using the same pattern, how is "RELEASED" written?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 207

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This reasoning question presents a coding pattern where words are replaced by numbers. You are given two examples: "PUNISHED" is written as "288" and "TAILOR" as "225". You must discover the hidden rule and apply it to the word "RELEASED". Such questions test both numerical and alphabetical reasoning, especially your skill in mapping letters to their positions in the English alphabet and manipulating those values.


Given Data / Assumptions:
- Code for "PUNISHED" is 288.
- Code for "TAILOR" is 225.
- Letters correspond to their alphabetical positions: A=1, B=2, C=3, ..., Z=26.
- The same coding rule applies to "RELEASED".
- We expect a single number as the code output, not a multi digit sequence per letter.


Concept / Approach:
A common approach in such puzzles is to calculate the sum of alphabets in a word and then apply a simple operation like multiplication or squaring. Let us test this hypothesis. First, find the numerical positions of letters in "PUNISHED" and add them. If that sum is 96, then 96 * 3 equals 288. The same for "TAILOR" gives a sum of 75, and 75 * 3 equals 225. This suggests the rule: code value = 3 * (sum of alphabetical positions of all letters in the word).


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Write down alphabet positions for PUNISHED: P=16, U=21, N=14, I=9, S=19, H=8, E=5, D=4. Step 2: Add them: 16+21+14+9+19+8+5+4 = 96. Multiply by 3 to get 96 * 3 = 288, which matches the given code. Step 3: Check the pattern with TAILOR: T=20, A=1, I=9, L=12, O=15, R=18. Sum = 20+1+9+12+15+18 = 75. Step 4: Multiply by 3 to get 75 * 3 = 225, which again matches the given code. The rule is confirmed. Step 5: Apply the same rule to RELEASED: R=18, E=5, L=12, E=5, A=1, S=19, E=5, D=4. Step 6: Sum these: 18+5+12+5+1+19+5+4 = 69. Step 7: Multiply by 3: 69 * 3 = 207.


Verification / Alternative check:
Once you have the rule, always verify with the given examples before answering. Both "PUNISHED" and "TAILOR" follow the exact pattern of code = 3 * sum of letter positions. No other simple rule fits both numbers so neatly. The result 207 for "RELEASED" therefore follows logically from a confirmed pattern, not a guess.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- 237, 225, and 243 do not result from 3 * 69. They would require different multipliers or additional steps, which would break consistency with the original examples.
- 225 is already used for "TAILOR", and if reused here with no justification, it would create ambiguity in the code language.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes attempt over complicated patterns such as squares, cubes, or differences between letter positions. Always try simple ideas first: sum, average, or multiplication. Another error is miscalculating letter positions or making arithmetic mistakes. Carefully write out positions and double check your addition and multiplication. A systematic approach reduces such errors in exam conditions.


Final Answer:
According to the pattern, "RELEASED" is coded as 207 in that language.

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