Decoding the EPTFU Group Using Letter Codes and Conditions

This problem requires us to find the correct code for the sequence 'EPTFU' based on a given set of letter-to-code mappings and specific conditions.

Letter Codes Mapping

First, let's list the provided codes for each relevant letter:

Initial Code Without Conditions

Based on the direct mapping, the initial code for 'EPTFU' would be:

E -> @

P -> 9

T -> $

F -> 7

U -> %

So, the base code is @9$7%.

Analyzing the Conditions for EPTFU

Now, we need to check the given conditions to see if they modify this base code. Let's examine the structure of 'EPTFU':

• 1st letter: E (Vowel)
• 2nd letter: P (Consonant)
• 3rd letter: T (Consonant)
• 4th letter: F (Consonant)
• Last letter: U (Vowel)

Condition 1 Check:

Condition 1 states: "If the 1st letter is a vowel and the last letter is a consonant, their codes are to be interchanged."

• 1st letter is E (Vowel) - Meets the first part.
• Last letter is U (Vowel) - Does NOT meet the second part (requires a consonant).

Since the last letter is not a consonant, Condition 1 does not apply.

Condition 2 Check:

Condition 2 states: "If the 2nd letter is a vowel and the last letter is a consonant, both are to be coded as 'W'."

• 2nd letter is P (Consonant) - Does NOT meet the first part (requires a vowel).
• Last letter is U (Vowel) - Does NOT meet the second part (requires a consonant).

Since the 2nd letter is not a vowel and the last letter is not a consonant, Condition 2 does not apply.

Condition 3 Check:

Condition 3 states: "If the 3rd and 4th letters are consonants, both are to be coded as the code for the 3rd letter."

• 3rd letter is T (Consonant) - Meets the requirement.
• 4th letter is F (Consonant) - Meets the requirement.

Both the 3rd and 4th letters are consonants. Therefore, Condition 3 applies.

• The code for the 3rd letter (T) is '$'.
• According to the condition, both the 3rd letter (T) and the 4th letter (F) should be coded as '$'.

Condition 4 Check:

Condition 4 states: "If the 1st and 2nd letters are vowels, then both are to be coded as 'Q'."

• 1st letter is E (Vowel) - Meets the first part.
• 2nd letter is P (Consonant) - Does NOT meet the second part (requires a vowel).

Since the 2nd letter is not a vowel, Condition 4 does not apply.

Applying the Applicable Condition

Only Condition 3 is applicable. We need to modify the base code '@9$7%' based on this condition.

• The base code is '@' (for E), '9' (for P), '$' (for T), '7' (for F), '%' (for U).
• Condition 3 requires the codes for the 3rd (T) and 4th (F) positions to be replaced by the code of the 3rd letter (T).
• The code for T is '$'.
• So, the '$' for T remains '$'.
• The '7' for F is replaced by the code for T, which is '$'.

The modified code becomes: '@' (E) + '9' (P) + '$' (T, applying condition) + '$' (F, applying condition) + '%' (U).

Final Code: @9$$%