Understanding the Code Decoding Process

This problem is a classic example of a coding and decoding puzzle, often found in reasoning sections of competitive exams. We are given three phrases and their corresponding numerical codes. Our goal is to find the digit that represents the word 'sour'.

To solve this, we need to compare the given phrases and their codes to find common words and their corresponding common digits. This helps us deduce the code for each individual word.

Step-by-Step Code Analysis

Let's list the given information:

• Phrase 1: ‘grapes are sweet’ Code: 592
• Phrase 2: ‘I like oranges’ Code: 374
• Phrase 3: ‘oranges are sour’ Code: 267

Comparing Phrase 1 and Phrase 3

Phrase 1: ‘grapes are sweet’ (592)

Phrase 3: ‘oranges are sour’ (267)

The common word in both phrases is "are". Let's look for the common digit in their codes (592 and 267). The common digit is 2.

Therefore, the digit representing 'are' is 2.

Comparing Phrase 2 and Phrase 3

Phrase 2: ‘I like oranges’ (374)

Phrase 3: ‘oranges are sour’ (267)

The common word in these two phrases is "oranges". Let's look for the common digit in their codes (374 and 267). The common digit is 7.

Therefore, the digit representing 'oranges' is 7.

Deducing the Code for 'sour'

Now let's look at Phrase 3 again: ‘oranges are sour’ (267)

We have already found the codes for two words in this phrase:

• 'oranges' is 7
• 'are' is 2

The code for the entire phrase ‘oranges are sour’ is 267. The digits used are 2, 6, and 7.

Since 'oranges' is 7 and 'are' is 2, the remaining digit must represent the remaining word, which is 'sour'.

The remaining digit in the code 267 is 6.

Therefore, the digit representing 'sour' is 6.

Summary of Deduced Codes (Partial)

• 'are' → 2
• 'oranges' → 7
• 'sour' → 6

We could also deduce information about other words, but it is not necessary to answer the question. For example, from 'grapes are sweet' (592), knowing 'are' is 2, 'grapes' and 'sweet' must be 5 and 9 (in any order). Similarly, from 'I like oranges' (374), knowing 'oranges' is 7, 'I' and 'like' must be 3 and 4 (in any order).

Based on our analysis, the digit that represents 'sour' is 6.

Revision Table: Key Concepts in Code Decoding

Additional Information: Types of Coding-Decoding

Coding-Decoding problems are common in reasoning tests. They can involve various patterns:

• Letter Coding: Letters are substituted with other letters based on a pattern (e.g., shifting letters in the alphabet).
• Number Coding: Words are represented by numbers, as seen in this problem. The logic might be based on letter positions, word length, or arbitrary assignments as shown here.
• Symbol Coding: Letters or words are represented by symbols.
• Mixed Coding: A combination of number and letter codes.
• Sentence Coding: As in this problem, entire sentences or phrases are given codes, and individual words' codes must be deduced by comparison.

Practicing different types helps improve logical reasoning and pattern recognition skills necessary to solve these problems efficiently.