Arranging Words in Dictionary Order: Step-by-Step Guide

To arrange words in the order they appear in an English dictionary, we compare them letter by letter from left to right. The word with the letter that comes earlier in the alphabet at the first point of difference is placed earlier. If one word is a prefix of another (and is shorter), the shorter word comes first.

Let's look at the given words and their corresponding numbers:

1. Photographic
2. Photocopier
3. Photography
4. Photographer
5. Photocopy

All the words begin with "Photo". Let's compare the letters that follow "Photo":

• Photographic - 'g'
• Photocopier - 'c'
• Photography - 'g'
• Photographer - 'g'
• Photocopy - 'c'

Comparing 'g' and 'c', 'c' comes before 'g' in the alphabet. So, the words starting with "Photoc" will come before the words starting with "Photog".

Let's first arrange the "Photoc" words:

• Photocopier (2)
• Photocopy (5)

Comparing "Photocopier" and "Photocopy" letter by letter:

• P, h, o, t, o, c, o, p - Both words are the same up to this point.
• The next letter in "Photocopier" is 'i'.
• The next letter in "Photocopy" is 'y'.

Comparing 'i' and 'y', 'i' comes before 'y'. Therefore, "Photocopier" comes before "Photocopy".

Order of "Photoc" words: Photocopier (2), Photocopy (5).

Now, let's arrange the "Photog" words:

• Photographic (1)
• Photography (3)
• Photographer (4)

Comparing these words letter by letter after "Photog":

• Photographic - r a p h i c
• Photography - r a p h y
• Photographer - r a p h e r

All three start with "Photogr". Comparing the next letter:

• Photographic - 'a'
• Photography - 'a'
• Photographer - 'a'

All three start with "Photogra". Comparing the next letter:

• Photographic - 'p'
• Photography - 'p'
• Photographer - 'p'

All three start with "Photograp". Comparing the next letter:

• Photographic - 'h'
• Photography - 'h'
• Photographer - 'h'

All three start with "Photograph". Comparing the next letter:

• Photographic - 'i'
• Photography - 'y'
• Photographer - 'e'

Comparing 'i', 'y', and 'e', 'e' comes first, then 'i', then 'y'.

So, the order of "Photog" words is: Photographer (4), Photographic (1), Photography (3).

Combining the two groups ("Photoc" comes before "Photog"), the final dictionary order is:

1. Photocopier (2)
2. Photocopy (5)
3. Photographer (4)
4. Photographic (1)
5. Photography (3)

The correct sequence of the given numbers is 2, 5, 4, 1, 3.

Revision Table: Dictionary Order Practice

Additional Information: Rules for Alphabetical Order

Arranging words alphabetically, also known as dictionary order, follows specific rules:

• Letter by Letter: Compare words one letter at a time from the beginning.
• First Difference: The word with the letter that appears earlier in the alphabet at the first point of difference comes first.
• Shorter Word Rule: If one word is an exact prefix of another word (e.g., "apple" and "applepie"), the shorter word ("apple") comes first. However, this rule applies only if the shorter word is a complete word ending exactly where the longer word continues.
• Case Insensitivity: Dictionary order usually ignores capitalization (treats 'A' the same as 'a'). However, for competitive exams, assume case sensitivity is not a factor unless specified.
• Spaces and Hyphens: These can sometimes affect order, often treated as coming before letters. The exact rules can vary, but for standard word lists, focus on letter comparison.

Mastering dictionary order is a key skill for vocabulary building, using reference books, and logical reasoning sections in various tests.