In this number analogy, 34 is related to 12 in a specific pattern. Using the same relationship, 59 is related to which of the following numbers?

Introduction / Context:
This question presents a simple two digit number analogy. The pair 34 and 12 is given, and you must apply the same numerical operation to the pair 59 to find the correct answer. These questions often rely on basic arithmetic relationships involving the digits of each number.

Given Data / Assumptions:
1) First pair: 34 and 12.
2) Second pair: 59 and an unknown number to be selected from 45, 38, 26, or 14.
3) All numbers are two digit numbers, so the rule will likely involve the digits separately rather than the full numbers only.
4) The same consistent operation must transform 34 into 12 and also transform 59 into the required answer.

Concept / Approach:
A common pattern in such analogies is to use multiplication of digits. For example, with 34, the digits 3 and 4 can be multiplied to produce 12. If this works, then we should check the same operation for 59. The correct answer will be the product of the digits 5 and 9. This is a straightforward and widely used idea in aptitude tests.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Express 34 as two digits, 3 and 4. Step 2: Multiply the digits: 3 * 4 = 12. This matches the given related number 12, so the rule seems to be the product of the digits. Step 3: Now apply the same rule to 59. The digits are 5 and 9. Step 4: Multiply these digits: 5 * 9 = 45. Step 5: Check the options and note that 45 appears as one of the choices, which strongly supports that the rule is correct. Step 6: Confirm that no other option is equal to the product of the digits of 59, so the answer is unique.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, try the same idea on the other options. If there were another simple pattern, it should work consistently for both pairs. For example, if someone guessed that the rule is to subtract the digits, 3 minus 4 gives negative 1, which does not yield 12. Similarly, adding the digits 3 and 4 gives 7, not 12. Only multiplication gives the provided related number 12, so multiplication is the valid and consistent rule.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option 38 does not equal 5 * 9. Option 26 is also not equal to 5 * 9. Option 14 is the sum of the digits of 59, that is 5 + 9, but the first pair does not follow a sum pattern, because 3 + 4 is 7, not 12. Therefore, 45 is the only answer consistent with both pairs.

Common Pitfalls:
One typical mistake is to pick 14 because it is the sum of the digits of 59 and looks arithmetically neat. However, this ignores the original pair 34 and 12, which clearly matches the product pattern rather than a sum. Always test any suspected pattern on the given example before applying it to the new number.

Final Answer:
Thus, 59 is related to 45 in the same way that 34 is related to 12. The correct answer is 45.