In a coding system where each letter of the English alphabet is given a value equal to its position (A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, and so on), it is known that A = 1, E = 5 and the code for the word HEAR is required. Using the same rule of summing the letter values, what is the numerical value of HEAR?

Introduction / Context:
This coding question again relies on the simple but very common rule that each letter is replaced by its alphabetical position, and the code for a word is obtained by adding the values of its letters. A and E are given as 1 and 5 respectively to remind you of the position based scheme. You need to apply this standard mapping to the word HEAR and compute the sum of the positions of all its letters.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Alphabet positions: A = 1, B = 2, …, Z = 26. • A = 1 and E = 5 are explicitly mentioned. • We must find the code for HEAR. • The code is obtained by summing the position values of the letters.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is straightforward: identify the alphabetical position of each letter in HEAR, then calculate the sum of these values. The result of this addition is the numerical code for the word. This tests basic recall of letter positions and simple addition skills.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Write down the letters of HEAR and their positions. Step 2: H is the 8th letter of the alphabet, so H = 8. Step 3: E is the 5th letter, so E = 5. Step 4: A is the 1st letter, so A = 1. Step 5: R is the 18th letter, so R = 18. Step 6: Add these values: first 8 + 5 = 13. Step 7: Then 13 + 1 = 14. Step 8: Finally 14 + 18 = 32. Step 9: Therefore, the code for HEAR is 32.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can rearrange the order of addition as (8 + 18) + (5 + 1) = 26 + 6 = 32, which further confirms the result. Also, since HEAR has four letters and most of them are in the first half of the alphabet, a total in the low thirties is reasonable and consistent with similar examples, reinforcing that 32 is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option 38 is too large and would require higher letter values than the alphabet positions provide. Option 31 is close but does not match the exact computed sum of 32. Option 30 is even smaller and clearly inconsistent with the sum of 8, 5, 1, and 18. Option 35 also does not equal the correct total of 32.

Common Pitfalls:
The main source of error is misremembering the position of R or H, or accidentally omitting one letter in the sum. Since the pattern is simple addition, careful checking of positions and a quick mental recalculation can help avoid such mistakes.

Final Answer:
Using the letter position sum rule, the numerical value assigned to HEAR is 32.