If the positions of the first and fifth digits of the number 14278359 are interchanged, the second and sixth digits are interchanged, the third and seventh digits are interchanged, and the fourth and eighth digits are interchanged, which digit will be second from the right end after this rearrangement?

Introduction / Context:
This question is a digit position puzzle that tests your ability to track multiple swaps within a single number. Such problems are designed to check attention to detail and understanding of positional notation in numbers. Correctly following each interchange step is essential to identify the digit at a specified final position.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Original number: 14278359.- Positions are counted from left to right as first through eighth digit.- Swaps to be performed are: 1. First digit with fifth digit. 2. Second digit with sixth digit. 3. Third digit with seventh digit. 4. Fourth digit with eighth digit.- After all swaps, we must find the second digit from the right end.

Concept / Approach:
Label each digit of the original number by its position so that you can clearly follow the swaps. It helps to write the digits in a sequence and then systematically perform each interchange. Because every swap is between symmetric positions (first with fifth, second with sixth, and so on), the operation is straightforward if done methodically. After performing all swaps, count digits from the right to identify the second from the right.

Step-by-Step Solution:
- Write the original number with positions: 1 4 2 7 8 3 5 9.- Positions: 1st digit 1, 2nd 4, 3rd 2, 4th 7, 5th 8, 6th 3, 7th 5, 8th 9.- Swap positions 1 and 5: new 1st digit becomes 8, new 5th digit becomes 1.- Swap positions 2 and 6: new 2nd digit becomes 3, new 6th digit becomes 4.- Swap positions 3 and 7: new 3rd digit becomes 5, new 7th digit becomes 2.- Swap positions 4 and 8: new 4th digit becomes 9, new 8th digit becomes 7.- After all swaps, the digits from position 1 to 8 are: 8, 3, 5, 9, 1, 4, 2, 7.- The number after rearrangement is 83591427.- Counting from the right end, the rightmost digit is 7 and the second from the right is 2.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick check is to verify that each original digit still appears exactly once after the swaps and that no digit was lost or duplicated. The final sequence 8, 3, 5, 9, 1, 4, 2, 7 contains exactly the same digits as 1, 4, 2, 7, 8, 3, 5, 9. This suggests the swaps were performed correctly. Rechecking the second from the right in 83591427 confirms that it is indeed 2.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- 5: This occurs as the third digit from the left, not the second from the right.- 7: This becomes the rightmost digit, not the second from the right.- 4: In the final number, 4 is in the sixth position from the left, which is third from the right, not second.- 8: This is the leftmost digit, far from the right end.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse the left and right positions or forget that all the swaps are to be applied to the original number, not step by step incorrectly. Another common mistake is to perform only some of the swaps or to miscount the final position when reading from the right. Writing the digits clearly and updating them carefully after each swap greatly reduces the chance of errors.

Final Answer:
After the specified rearrangement, the second digit from the right end is 2.