All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

In a code language, if PEN is written as 17717, then how will CAP be written in the same language?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2020 (Tier-2) Statistics Previous Year Paper 3 (28-Jan-2022)
The correct answer is 4319

Understanding the Code Language Pattern

This question involves decoding a simple code language based on a given example. We are told that the word PEN is coded as 17717. We need to find the code for the word CAP using the same logic.

Analysing the Code for PEN (17717)

Let's look at the letters in PEN and their positions in the English alphabet:

  • P is the 16th letter.
  • E is the 5th letter.
  • N is the 14th letter.

Now, let's compare these positions with the coded digits 17717. The coded form has five digits, but the word PEN has only three letters. However, the coded form can be seen as three separate numbers corresponding to the three letters: 17, 7, and 17.

Let's see if there's a pattern relating the letter positions to these numbers:

  • For P (16th letter), the code is 17. The difference is \(17 - 16 = 1\).
  • For E (5th letter), the code is 7. The difference is \(7 - 5 = 2\).
  • For N (14th letter), the code is 17. The difference is \(17 - 14 = 3\).

It appears the pattern is to take the alphabetical position of the letter and add a number based on its position in the word (1st letter adds 1, 2nd letter adds 2, 3rd letter adds 3). Let's verify this pattern with PEN:

  • 1st letter is P: Position is 16. Add 1. \(16 + 1 = 17\). This matches the first part of the code.
  • 2nd letter is E: Position is 5. Add 2. \(5 + 2 = 7\). This matches the second part of the code.
  • 3rd letter is N: Position is 14. Add 3. \(14 + 3 = 17\). This matches the third part of the code.

The pattern is confirmed: Code = (Alphabetical Position of Letter) + (Position of Letter in the Word).

Applying the Code Logic to CAP

Now we apply the same logic to the word CAP:

  • C is the 1st letter of CAP and the 3rd letter of the alphabet. Its position in the word is 1.
  • A is the 2nd letter of CAP and the 1st letter of the alphabet. Its position in the word is 2.
  • P is the 3rd letter of CAP and the 16th letter of the alphabet. Its position in the word is 3.

Let's calculate the coded value for each letter in CAP:

  • For C (1st letter of CAP): Alphabetical position is 3. Add its position in the word (1). Code for C = \(3 + 1 = 4\).
  • For A (2nd letter of CAP): Alphabetical position is 1. Add its position in the word (2). Code for A = \(1 + 2 = 3\).
  • For P (3rd letter of CAP): Alphabetical position is 16. Add its position in the word (3). Code for P = \(16 + 3 = 19\).

Combining the coded values for C, A, and P in order, we get 4, 3, and 19.

So, the code for CAP is 4319.

Word Letter Alphabetical Position Position in Word Calculation Coded Value
PEN P 16 1st \(16 + 1\) 17
E 5 2nd \(5 + 2\) 7
N 14 3rd \(14 + 3\) 17
Coded PEN: 17717
CAP C 3 1st \(3 + 1\) 4
A 1 2nd \(1 + 2\) 3
P 16 3rd \(16 + 3\) 19
Coded CAP: 4319

Therefore, following the same code language logic used for PEN, the word CAP is written as 4319.

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Concept Description Application in Problem
Coding Language A system where words or letters are represented by numbers, symbols, or other patterns based on specific rules. Decoding the rule for PEN=17717.
Alphabetical Position The sequential number of a letter in the standard alphabet (A=1, B=2, ... Z=26). Used as the base value for each letter in the code.
Positional Increment Adding a value that depends on the position of the letter within the word being coded (e.g., 1st letter gets +1, 2nd gets +2, etc.). The key pattern identified: add 1 for the 1st letter, 2 for the 2nd, 3 for the 3rd.

Additional Information: Types of Letter Coding

Letter coding is a common type of question in logical reasoning tests. Understanding different patterns helps solve these puzzles. Some common patterns include:

  • Alphabetical Position: Using the direct position (A=1, B=2) or reverse position (A=26, B=25).
  • Shifting: Shifting letters a fixed number of places forward or backward (e.g., A becomes C, B becomes D - a +2 shift).
  • Opposite Letters: Coding letters by their opposite (A is coded as Z, B as Y, etc.).
  • Vowel/Consonant Based: Different rules for vowels and consonants.
  • Patterned Increment/Decrement: Adding or subtracting values based on the letter's position in the word, as seen in this problem, or other sequences.
  • Substitution: Replacing letters with specific symbols or other letters according to a key.

Practicing different types of letter coding helps improve pattern recognition skills.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. In a certain code language, ‘STAR’ is written as ‘8110291’, ‘GIFT’ is written as '02697'. How will ‘DOLL’ be written in that language?

  2. In a certain code language, ‘FIGURE’ is written as ‘DJEVPF’. How will ‘DECODE’ be written as in that language?

  3. In certain code language, ‘CAUGHT’ is coded as ‘326212087’. How will ‘SOLDER’ be coded as in that language?

  4. In a certain code language, ‘HAMMER’ is written as ‘ICPQJX’. How will ‘WRENCH’ be written as in that language?

  5. In a certain code language, 'REFUSAL' is coded as '2101239103' and 'POETRY' is coded as '1067927'. How will 'PROFIT' be coded in that language?

  6. In a certain code language, ‘PRINTER’ is coded as ‘11181814759’ and ‘LOGIC’ is coded as ‘151520924’. How will ‘TERMITE’ be coded in that language?

  7. In a certain code language, ‘CROWD’ is coded as 23415924 and ‘TRHICK’ is coded as 162491997. How will ‘FRUGAL’ be coded in that language?

  8. In a certain code language, ‘TURKEY’ is written as ‘76911525’. How will ‘BREATH’ be written in that language? 

  9. In a certain code language, LOOK is coded as 2330 and BALL is coded as 1413. How will HELP be coded in that language?

  10. In a certain code language, ‘NOSTALGIA’ is coded as ‘81’. How will ‘FRICTION’ be coded in that language?


Important Questions from Coding Letters of a Word

  1. If JACKAL is coded as 11-2-4-12-2-13, then what is the code for TIGER?

  2. If TEACHER is coded as CAHEETR and STUDENT is coded as DUETNST, then what is the code for SUCCESS?

  3. If SEAT is coded as 4321 and STORM is coded as 41675, then MASTER would be coded as:

  4. FIRE is coded as 3542 and SOAP is coded as 1768, then PREPARE would be coded as

  5. In a certain code language, ‘HAPPY’ is written as ‘JCRRA’ and ‘MAGIC’ is written as ‘OCIKE’. How will ‘LEVEL’ be written in that language?

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
SSC CGL
September 30, 2026
UPSSSC PET
October 23, 2026
Test Series
SSC CGL img
SSC
SSC CGL (Tier I + Tier II) 2026 Mock Test Series - Latest Pattern
2503 Tests 6 Tests Free
5313 Attempts
4.2(864)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App