Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: 46
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This numerical coding question assigns a value to each letter based on its position in the English alphabet and then combines them to form a value for the entire word. You are given values for D and for the whole word "DESK" and must extend the same rule to "DRAW".
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
First, confirm that DESK = 39 is indeed the sum of the alphabet positions of D, E, S, and K. If that works out exactly, then DRAW will also be the sum of positions of D, R, A and W. This is a common pattern in such questions.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Compute the alphabet positions for the letters of DESK.
D → 4, E → 5, S → 19, K → 11.
Step 2: Add these values.
4 + 5 + 19 + 11 = 39.
This matches the given value for DESK, confirming that the word value is the sum of letter positions.
Step 3: Compute the positions for DRAW.
D → 4, R → 18, A → 1, W → 23.
Step 4: Add these values.
4 + 18 + 1 + 23 = 46.
Verification / Alternative check:
You were already told D = 4, which matches its alphabet position. Using any other operation (like multiplication or subtraction) would not give 39 for DESK, so summation is the only consistent rule here.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The other answer choices (36, 45, 57) do not equal the sum of the letter positions for DRAW. They might come from partial sums or from miscalculating one of the letter positions, but they are inconsistent with the DESK example.
Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse letter positions (for example, misplacing R or W) or forget that A is 1, not 0. Writing down the alphabet with numbers can help avoid such simple but costly errors.
Final Answer:
Using the same rule, the coded value of "DRAW" is 46.
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