Coding and Decoding

Letter Coding
A particular letter stands for another letter in
letter coding.

Example: If COURSE is coded as FRXUVH, how is RACE coded in

that code?
(1) HFDU
(2) UCFH
(3) UDFH
(4) UDHF
(5) UDFG
Sol: In the given code, each letter is moved three steps forward than the
corresponding letter in the word. So R is coded as U, A as D, C as F, E as H. Hence
(3) is the answer.
 Number Coding

•In these questions, either numerical code values are assigned to a word
or alphabetical code values are assigned to numbers.

•The candidate is required to analyze the code as per directions.

Case I: When numerical values are assigned to words.

Example: If in a certain code ROPE is coded

as 6821, CHAIR is coded as 73456what will be the code
for CRAPE?
(1) 73456
(2) 76421
(3) 77246
(4) 77123
(5) None of these
Sol:
Clearly, in the given code, the alphabets are coded
as follows.
R O P E C H A I
6 8 2 1 7 3 4 5
So CRAPE is coded as 76421, So the answer is (2)
Case II: When alphabetical code values are assigned to the
numbers.

Example: In a certain code 3456 is coded

as ROPE & 15546 is coded as APPLE. Then how is 54613 coded?
(1) RPPEO
(2) ROPEA
(3) POEAR
(4) PAREO
(5) None of these
Sol:
Clearly in the given figures, the numbers are coded
as follows.
3 4 5 6 1 4
R O P E A L
So 54613 is coded as POEAR. The answer is (3)
 Mixed Coding

•In this type of question, three or four complete messages are given in the coded language
and the code for a particular word is asked.

•To analyse such codes, any two messages bearing the common word are picked
up. The common code word will mean that word. Proceeding similarly by picking up
all possible combinations of two messages the entire message can be analysed.
Example: If tee see pee means drink fruit juice, see kee lee means juice is
sweet, and lee ree mee means he is intelligent, which word in that language
means sweet?

(1) see
(2) kee
(3) lee
(4) pee
(5) Tee

Sol: In the first and the second statements the common word is juice and the
common code word is see. So see means juice. In the second and the
third statements, the common word is ‘is’ and the common code is lee.
Solee means is. Thus in the second statement, the remaining word sweet is
coded as kee. Hence the answer is (2).
 Mixed Number Coding

In this type of questions, three or four complete messages are given in the
coded language and the code number for a particular word is asked.
Example: If in a certain code language, 851 means good sweet fruit; 783 meansgood
red rose and 341 means rose and fruit which of the following digits stands for sweet in
that language?

(1) 8
(2) 5
(3) 1
(4) 3
(5) None of these

Sol: In the first and the second statements, the common code digit is 8 and the common
word is good. So 8 stands for good. In the first and the third statements, the common code
digit is 1 and the common word is fruit. So 1stands for fruit. Therefore in the
first statement, 5 stands for sweet. Hence the answer is (2).
 Decoding

In these questions, artificial or code values are assigned to a word or

a group of words and the candidate is required to find out the
original words.
Example: If in a certain language FLOWER is written as EKNVDQ, what will be
written as GNTRD?

(1) HEOUS
(2) HOUES
(3) HUOSE
(4) HOUSE
(5) None of these

Sol:
Each letter of the word is one step ahead of the corresponding letter of the code.
EKNVDQ GNTRD
F LOWER HOUSE
Thus HOUSE is written as GNTRD, So the answer is (4)
 Symbols Coding

•This is a kind of coding recently included in the Reasoning section.

•In this type of questions either alphabetical code values are assigned to
symbols or symbols are assigned to alphabets.
•The candidate is required to analyse the code as per direction.
Example: 1. In a certain code ‘TOME’ is written as ‘ @ $ * ? ‘ and ARE is
written as ‘ • £ ? ’ How can ‘REMOTE’ be written in that code?

(1) £?•$@?
(2) @?*$@?
(3) £?*$@?
(4) Cannot be determined
(5) None of these
Sol: From the data we have
T–@
O–$
M–*
E–?
A–•
R–£
E–?
Hence REMOTE is coded as £ ? * $ @ ? So (3) is
the answer.
Coding & Decoding
Practice MCQs
1) In the following question, choose the correct code form.

The number/word group in the question is to be codified according to the following letter codes:

RODRICK

a. 2104865
b. 2104765
c. 2102765
d. 2103765

Numbe 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
r
Letter Q U I C K L Y R O D
ANSWER: 2102765
2) In the following question, choose the correct code form.

The number/word group in the question is to be codified according to the following letter
codes:

3060589404

a. YDCDKUQLDL
b. YDCDKQULDL
c. YDCDKULQDL
d. YDCDKUDLQL

Numb 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
er
Letter Q U I C K L Y R O D
ANSWER: YDCDKUQLDL
3) If ‘blue’ means ‘green’, ‘green’ means ‘yellow’, ‘yellow’ means ‘orange’,
‘orange’ means ‘black’, ‘black’ means ‘white’, ‘white’ means ‘red’, ‘red’ means
‘pink’, ‘pink’ means ‘brown’, ‘brown’ means ‘grey’, then what is the color of
human blood?

a. Black
b. Red
c. White
d. Orange
ANSWER: White
Explanation:
The color of human blood is red. But here white means
red, so, white is the color of blood.
4) If ‘dog’ is called ‘lion’, ‘lion’ is called ‘bison’, ‘bison’ is called ‘snake’, ‘snake’ is
called ‘mongoose’, ‘mongoose’ is called ‘crocodile’, then which one is reared as
pet?

a. Lion
b. Bison
c. Snake
d. Mongoose
ANSWER: Lion
Explanation:
Generally, dog is reared as pet.

But dog is called lion, so ‘lion’ is reared as pet.

5) In the following question, choose the correct code form.

If, in a language, ‘one’ is called ‘two’, ‘two’ is called ‘three’, ‘three’ is called ‘four’, ‘four’ is called
‘five’ and ‘five’ is called ‘six’.
Then what is the square of number 2?

a. Three
b. Four
c. Five
d. Six
ANSWER: Five
Explanation:
The square of 2 is 4.

But four is called five in this language. So, the correct

answer is C.
6) In the following question, choose the correct code form.

According to new terminology, ‘Aries’ means ‘air’, ‘Taurus’ means ‘light’, ‘Libra’
means ‘water’ and ‘Scorpio’ means ‘earth’. What would an organism breathe in?

a. Aries
b. Taurus
c. Libra
d. Scorpio
ANSWER: Aries
Explanation:
One breathes in air.

Air is called Aries as per the new terminology, so one

would breathe in Aries.
7) In the following question, choose the correct code form.

If ‘air’ is called ‘green’, ‘green’ is called ‘red’, ‘red’ is called ‘sea’, ‘sea’ is called ‘blue’, ‘blue’ is
called ‘water’ and ‘water’ is called ‘pink’, then what is the color of grass?

a. Green
b. Air
c. Red
d. Pink
ANSWER: Red
Explanation:
The color of grass is green but green is called red.
Hence, the color of grass is red.
8) Read the following information and answer the question below.

In a certain code language, ‘sea is deep’ means ‘213’, ‘sky is blue’ means ‘514’ and ‘sea looks
blue’ means ‘264’

What number is the code for ‘sea’?

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
ANSWER: b. 2
Explanation:
In the first and second statements, the common digit is
‘1’ and the common word is ‘is’.

So, ‘1’ is the code for ‘is’.

In the second and third statements, the common digit

is ‘4’ and the common word is ‘blue’.

So, ‘4’ is the code for ‘blue’.

Thus, in the second statement, ‘5’ is the code for ‘sky’.

In the first and third statements, the common digit is ‘2’

and the common word is ‘sea’.

So, ‘2’ is the code for ‘sea’.

Thus, in the first statement, ‘3’ is the code for ‘deep’.

In the third statement, ‘6’ is the code for ‘looks’.

9. In a certain language, if SUNSHINE is coded as TVOTIJOF then how
will MOON be coded:

a. NPPQ
b. NPPO
c. PPON
d. NQQP
Answer: b. NPPO

+1 in all the letters.

10. In a certain language, if WRONG is coded as GNORW then how will RIGHT
be coded:

a. HIRGT
b. SJHIU
c. GHIRT
d. None of the above
Answer: c. GHIRT
Coded word GNORW has same letters as in the original
word. By looking at the pattern of coding, it can be
observed that all the letters of WRONG are arranged in
Ascending Order. So, in the same way, RIGHT will be
coded as GHIRT.
11. If SNOW is coded as 7100, then WALL will be coded as

a. 5000
b. 4700
c. 4800
d. 4000
Answer: c. 4800

Here, Total of all the individual letters’ numeric position is

done and just to add some more complexity 00 is
appended at the end. S=19, N=14, O=15 and W=23. So
19+14+15+23= 7100.
12. If MOUSE is coded as PNUFT, then CLOCK will be coded as

a. MDOLD
b. MDPLD
c. NDOLD
d. MDOLE
Answer: a. MDOLD
First 2 letters, M and O are grouped and last 2
letters S and E are grouped. After grouping, +1 is
added and the position of the letters is
interchanged. Like in MO group, +1 is added so
the result will be NP and then the letters are
interchanged and so the result for 1st group will
be PN. Same for the second group and the middle
odd letter is as it is.
13) In the following question, choose the correct code form.

If BATMAN is coded as 123416, PERMAN is coded as 987416, then

TAPER is coded as?

a. 32987
b. 92897
c. 38972
d. 32978
ANSWER: a. 32987
Explanation:

Letter T A P E R
Code 3 2 9 8 7

Letter A B T M N P E R
Code 2 1 3 4 6 9 8 7
14) In the following question, choose the correct code
form.

If R=19, RON = 50, then what FONTS equal to?

a. 75
b. 76
c. 77
d. 79
ANSWER: d. 79
Explanation:
In then given series, Z = 27, Y = 26, X =25 and so on till A
= 2.

Then, FONTS = 7 + 16 + 15 + 21 + 20 = 79
15) In the following question, choose the correct
code form.

If ANY = 40, MANY = 53 then MANIAC = ?

a. 41
b. 42
c. 43
d. 44
ANSWER: a. 41
Explanation:
In the given code, A = 1, B = 2, C = 3 and so on till Z =26.

So, MANIAC = 13 + 1 + 14 + 9 + 1 + 3 = 41
16) In the following question, choose the correct code form.

If ACID is written as 1C3D, PAMPER is written as P1MP2R, then how

will BOMBAY be written?

a. B4MB1Y
b. B3MB1Y
c. B5MB2Y
d. B4MB2Y
ANSWER: a. B4MB1Y
Explanation:
Vowels A, E, I, O, U are coded as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively.
Each of the consonants is kept same.

So, the code for BOMBAY becomes B4MB1Y

17) In the following question, choose the correct code form.

If in a certain language, MORALE is coded as 296137, CHARCOAL is coded

as 45164913, how is the word REAL-MOLE coded in that language?

a. 67193237
b. 67132937
c. 67123937
d. 67172937
ANSWER: b. 67132937
Explanation:

Lette R E A L M O L E
r
Code 6 7 1 3 2 9 3 7

Lett A M L C H R E O
er
Cod 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9
e
18) In a certain code language, ‘it be pee’ means ‘dogs are blue’, ‘sik hee’
means ‘large horses’ and ‘pee mit hee’ means ‘horses are pigs’.

How is ‘pig’ written in this code?

a. Hee
b. Pee
c. Sik
d. Mit
ANSWER: Mit
Explanation:
In the second and third statements, the common code is
‘hee’ and the common word is ‘horses’. So, ‘hee’ means
‘horses’.

Thus, ‘sik’ means ‘large’ from second statement.

In first and third statements, the common code is ‘pee’ and

common word is ‘are’. So, ‘pee’ means ‘are’.

Thus, ‘mit’ means ‘pigs’ from third statement.

19) In a certain code language, ‘it be pee’ means ‘dogs are blue’, ‘sik
hee’ means ‘large horses’ and ‘pee mit hee’ means ‘horses are pigs’.

How is ‘pigs are large horses’ written in this code?

a. Mit pee sik hee

b. Sik it pee be
c. Cannot be determined
d. None of these
ANSWER: Mit pee sik hee
Explanation:
In the second and third statements, the common code is
‘hee’ and the common word is ‘horses’. So, ‘hee’ means
‘horses’.

Thus, ‘sik’ means ‘large’ from second statement.

In first and third statements, the common code is ‘pee’ and

common word is ‘are’. So, ‘pee’ means ‘are’.

Thus, ‘mit’ means ‘pigs’ from third statement.

So, the code is ‘Mit pee sik hee’

20) In a certain language, CAP is coded as 66, how will PEN be
coded

a. 40
b. 66
c. 80
d. 46
Answer: 46

Here reverse numeric value concept is used. So, in this question the
reverse numeric values are considered and added. C=24, A=26,
P=11. 24+26+11=61 and the same logic for PEN. P=11, E=22 and
N=13. Answer=46
21. In a certain code language, 743 means Mangoes
are good, 657 means Eat good food, and 934 means Mangoes are
ripe. Which digit means ripe in that language?

a. 5
b. 4
c. 9
d. 7
 Answer. c. In the first and the third statements, the
common code digits are 4 and 3 ; and the common
words are mangoes and are. So 4 and 3 are the codes for
mangoes and are. Thus in the third statement 9 means ripe.
22. In a certain code, 247 means spread red
carpet, 256means dust one carpet and 234 means one red
carpet which digit in that code means dust?

a. 2
b. 3
c. 5
d. 6
Answer. c. In the first and the second statements, the common code
digit is 2 and the common word is carpet. So 2 means carpet. In the
second and the third statements, the common code digit is 6 and the
common word is one. So 6 means one. Therefore in the second
statement, 5 means dust.
23. In a certain code language, 134 means good and
tasty, 478 means see good pictures, and 729 means pictures are
faint. Which of the following digits stands for see?

a. 4
b. 7
c. 9
d. 8
 Answer. d. In the first and the second statements, the common code digit is
4 and the common word is good. So 4 stands for good. In the second and the
third statements, the common code digit is 7 and the common word is
pictures. So 7 stands for pictures. Thus in the second statement 8 stands for
see.
24. In a certain code language TSSNOFFQ is written as STRONGER then
GQFDENN will be written as

a. DOMEERF
b. FEEDORM
c. FREEDOM
d. FREEDMO
Answer. c. The first letter is moved one step backward and second is
moved one step forward the third letter is moved one step backward, the
fourth letter one step forward and so on. So the answer is c.
25. If FULFNHW is the code for CRICKET, EULGH will be coded as

a. PRIDE
b. BRIDE
c. BLADE
d. BLIND
 Answer. b. Each letter of the word is three steps
ahead of the corresponding letter of the code.
26. If KEYS= MDAR, then LOCK= ?

a. NEJJ
b. NNEJ
c. JENN
d. JENJ
Answer: b. NNEJ

+2 Increment and -1 decrement in the next letter and the

pattern continues.
So, K=M, E=D, Y=A and S=R.