Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: ZMJNBG
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This coding and decoding problem combines two distinct operations: reversing the order of letters in a word and then applying a one step forward shift to each letter in the alphabet. The example given for "VENUS" helps us derive the exact rule, which is then applied to the new word "FAMILY". Such layered patterns are common in reasoning questions to test attention and multi step thinking.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
First, check how VENUS transforms into TVOFW. If we simply shift letters, the mapping looks inconsistent. However, when we reverse VENUS to S U N E V and then shift each letter one place forward in the alphabet, we obtain T V O F W, which matches the code exactly. Therefore, the rule is: reverse the word, then move each letter one step forward in the alphabet. Applying this systematically to FAMILY gives the required coded word.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Reverse the word VENUS to check the pattern. VENUS becomes S U N E V.
Step 2: Shift each reversed letter forward by one in the alphabet: S to T, U to V, N to O, E to F and V to W, which yields TVOFW.
Step 3: This matches the given coded word, so we confirm the two step rule: reverse then shift forward by one.
Step 4: Now reverse the word FAMILY. The letters F, A, M, I, L and Y become Y, L, I, M, A and F.
Step 5: Shift each of these reversed letters forward by one alphabet position.
Step 6: Y moves to Z, L moves to M, I moves to J, M moves to N, A moves to B and F moves to G.
Step 7: The resulting code is Z M J N B G, written as ZMJNBG.
Step 8: Therefore FAMILY is coded as ZMJNBG.
Verification / Alternative check:
We can cross check by taking the final code ZMJNBG, shifting each letter one step back and then reversing the word again. Z goes back to Y, M to L, J to I, N to M, B to A and G to F, giving YLIMAF. Reversing this yields FAMILY, confirming that the encoding rule is reversible and has been applied correctly.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
GBNJMZ, EZLQKX and XKHLZQ assume different kinds of rearrangements or shift directions. They may include the right letters but place them in incorrect order or apply shifts inconsistently. None of them can be obtained by first reversing FAMILY and then shifting each letter exactly one step forward, so they do not follow the rule established by VENUS.
Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates attempt to shift letters first and then reverse, which would produce a different word. Others reverse only part of the word or forget to apply the shift to all letters. Carefully following the order of operations, reverse first and then shift, ensures the correct result.
Final Answer:
Applying the rule "reverse the word and then shift each letter one step forward in the alphabet" to FAMILY, we get the code ZMJNBG.
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