Coding–decoding with symbol map (letters → symbols): A → !, B → @, C → #, D → $, E → %, F → ^, G → &, H → *, I → +, O → =, P → α, R → β, S → γ, T → δ, U → ∠. Using only this mapping, how is the word “DEAR” coded?

Introduction / Context:
In this coding–decoding problem, each English alphabet letter is replaced by a unique symbol. The task is to apply the given one-to-one mapping to spell a target word entirely in symbols. Such questions test careful reading, accurate symbol substitution, and attention to order.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Mapping (letters → symbols): A → !, B → @, C → #, D → $, E → %, F → ^, G → &, H → *, I → +, O → =, P → α, R → β, S → γ, T → δ, U → ∠.
• Target word: DEAR.
• Assume the mapping is exact and case-insensitive (standard MCQ convention).

Concept / Approach:
Replace each letter of the target word with its corresponding symbol, preserving order. No arithmetic or rearrangement is involved; this is direct substitution.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Re-check the mapping table to ensure each letter is correctly matched and that no symbol belongs to a different letter. The sequence order must match the original spelling “DEAR”.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• $ % & !: “&” maps to G, not A or R; the final “!” is A, not R.
• β $ # !: Starts with β (R) instead of D; “#” is C, which is not in DEAR.
• @ # ! %: “@” is B, “#” is C; neither appears in DEAR.
• None of these: The correct coded form exists among options, so this is incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Mixing direction of mapping (reading symbols → letters) instead of letters → symbols; swapping order of letters; confusing visually similar symbols like “!” and “|”; overlooking R → β which is a Greek symbol rather than punctuation.

Final Answer:
$ % ! β