CODING AND DECODING QUESTIONS SHORTCUT TRICKS IN REASONING OF

APTITUDE
Coding and decoding questions are asked in many competitive exams but the level of questions
differs. For example in SSC, the level of questions in easy to medium while in IBPS exams, the
level of questions is difficult. In IBPS, coding and decoding questions comes under Machine
Coding and Decoding Topic. But in SSC exams, Coding Decoding questions asked are quite easy
as compared to IBSP exams. We have already given shortcut tricks to Machine Coding and
decoding questions for IBPS exams. This time we are discussing about coding and decoding
questions shortcut tricks in reasoning of SSC Exams.
For solving coding and decoding questions, you have to learn a few basics.
1. Letter position (A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4.Y=25, Z=26)
2. Opposite position of letters (A=26, B=25.Z=1)
3. Opposite of each letter (A is opposite to Z and B is opposite to Y and C is opposite to
X..learn all alphabets opposite)

Coding and decoding reasoning questions

part #1-fully explained
The coding and decoding of reasoning test is set up to judge the candidates ability to decipher
the rule that codes a word/message and break the code to decipher the message. In questions, a
word is given coded in a particular way and candidates are asked to code the other given word in
the same manner as the first given word was coded.
There are basically five types of coding and decoding questions that are asked in the
examination.
1. Order based questions
2. Substitution for words
3. Number symbol coding
4. Substitution based coding
5. Deciphering number and symbol codes in a message
1. Order based questions:Here is a question for example of this type of questions.
Ex. In a certain language, if BOYS is written as SOYB, how is GIRL coded in that language.
Solution:- in these types of questions, the order of placement of alphabets or words usually
changes. Now in this question, letter B has been placed at 4th position and the positions of 2nd

and third letters are not changed. Letters at 4th position has been placed at first position in the
coded language.
B-1st position-->S-4th position
O-O
Y-Y
S-4th position-->B-1st position
Means BOYS-SOYB
Similarly
G-1st position-->L-4th position
I-I
R-R
L-4th position-->G-1st position
Means GIRL-LIRG
2. Substitution for words
In this type of question, a particular word is assigned a certain substituted name and a question is
asked to be given in that substituted name. here is an example
Ex. if sky is star, star is cloud, cloud is earth, earth is tree and tree is book, then where do the
birds fly?
1. Star
2. Sky
3. Cloud
4. Earth
5. None of these
Solution:- we know that in reality birds fly in the sky but in this question, as given sky is called
star (option no. 1). So star (option no. 1) is the answer.
3. Number-Symbol coding

In these types of questions, letters and numbers are made related to each other. These are of two
types

1.

When numerical/symbol codes are assigned to words

Ex. If REQUEST is written as S2R52TU, then how will ACID be written?
Sol. In this question, alternate letters are moved to next letter in alphabet series and vowels are
written as their position in their own series.
RS
E2 (A-1, E-2, I-3, O-4, U-5)
QR
U5
E2
ST
TU
Similarly
A1
CD
I3
DE
Means ACID will be coded as 1D3E

2. When alphabetical codes are assigned to numbers

In this type of questions, different words are coded in a certain symbol. We have to encode them
as per the conditions given in the questions. So read the conditions very carefully and then try to
solve these type of questions.
4. Substitution based question- in substitution based questions, three types of question are
basically asked.
In first type of questions, the letters are directly coded in the same pattern as per the
given examples and we have to form the letters as per those given letters changes.
Ex. If EARTH is coded as QPMZS, then how would HEART be coded?
The main detection point of these questions is that the word that is asked to be coded
will contain those same alphabets as given in the first sentence. So in this example, the letters of
EARTH and HEART are same, so HEART will be coded as SQPMZ
In the second type of questions, each letter is moved certain steps forward to obtain the
corresponding letter of the code.
Ex. In a certain code, VICTORY is written as YLFWRUB, then how will
SUCCESS be written in that language?
Sol. In this question, every letter is moved three step forward in their
position in the alphabetical series to obtain the corresponding letter of the code.
In the third type of questions, the letter are arranged opposite to the position of them in
the alphabetical series. The rule is as under
A-Z, B-Y, C-X, D-W, E-V, F-U, G-T, H-S, I-R, J-Q, K-P, L-O, M-N, N-M, O-L, P-K, Q-J, R-I,
S-H, T-G, U-F, V-E, W-D, X-C, Y-B, Z-A
Memorize this series on your fingertips for easy solution of the problems.

Ex. In a certain language, MILK is written as NROP, how will DEAF be

written
Sol. First you have to find out the question type. Now MILK is written as
NROP. You can understand if you have memorized the series given above that N is opposite to
M, R is opposite to I, O is opposite to L and P is opposite to K. Now as per the rule given above
this question, D is opposite to W, E is opposite to V, A is opposite to Z and F is opposite to U. so
DEAF will be coded as WVZU.
5. Deciphering number and symbol codes in a messageThese types of questions are mostly asked in coding and decoding type of reasoning questions. In
this type of questions, a few group of number or symbols in which each codes a certain message
is given. The candidate is required to find the number or symbol code for each code or you have
to formulate all the codes of the message. You can do that through the process of comparison of
the given coded message taking at least two at a time.
For example, look at the given question belowIn a certain language, come now is written as ha na, now and then is written as pa do na
and go then is written as sa pa. how is and written in that language.
Sol.
Now there are three statements given
1. Come now-ha na
2. Now and then- pa do na
3. Go then-sa pa
The shortcut trick for these questions is trying to find out the common words among the given
statements. Try to find out the common word among the 1st and 2nd statement. The common word
is now. As you see, the corresponding coded conversion is na. similarly, try to find out the
common word in 2nd and 3rd statement. Again you see the common word is then. So the
corresponding coded word(among pa do na and sa pa) is pa.
Now you have found out two conversions
Now-na
Then-pa
So from the 2nd statement, pa and na corresponds to then and now respectively. So from 2nd
statement, the remaining word and will correspond to do.
So and will be coded as do.
http://www.meriview.in/2013/09/coding-and-decoding-reasoning-questions_8176.html

Here are coding and decoding questions shortcut tricks (easy solution).
Type-1- Letter : In a certain code, CODING is written as DPEJOH. How will DECODING be
written in that code?

Answer: the simple formula or the shortcut trick to solve this type of question is to compare the
first coded words. The number of steps that are increase of each letter in first conversion, the
same formula should be applied to code that has to be converted. Just like in CODING and
DPEJOH, 1 point step is added (C+1=D, O+1=P as per alphabet).
Now compare each letter one to another like compare each letter of CODING and DPEJOH.
Comparing 1st letter of CODING to 1st of DPEJOH.
C is converted to D.
You know Cs next letter in alphabets is D.
Os next letter is P.
Ds next letter is E.
Is next letter is J.
Ns next- O
Gs next- H
This was how CODING was converted to DPEJOH. Now the same way you have to convert
DECODING.
So
D- is converted to -E.
E-F
C-D
O-P
D-E
I-J
N-O
G-H
So DECODING should be converted to EFDPEJOH.
Note: in the shown conversion of a question, there might be letters in which +2, +3, +4 etc.
positions are added. In that case, add the same position to the asked word.
Type 2-Number: Position of letter are added or remains constant.
The Main idea to solve these questions is to apply the conversion that is shown like in above
question CODING is written as DPEJOH. You have to apply the same conversion to
DECODING word. Same trick you have to apply to Number coding. For converting letters to
numbers, you have to remember the conversion basic given above.
Like FEAR can be converted to 65118 as shown below
F=6
E=5
A=1
R=18
Or it can also be converted to the addition of these means 6+5+1+18=30. The same way should
be applied for the asked CODE.

LCM AND HCF SHORTCUT METHODS

FOR SOLVING IN SECONDS IN MIND
Shortcut methods of Finding LCM and HCF
Lowest common multiple LCM and Highest Common Factor HCF are the most used methods of
Mathematics and also the most important as they are used in finding the solution of many other
questions solution. With these shortcut methods of finding LCM and HCF, you can easily solve
LCM and HCF of two or more numbers in your mind in seconds.
So here are the shortcut methods or formulas of finding the LCM and HCF of numbers
First let us discuss shortcut formula of finding the LCM of numbers.
When you practice this method, you can easily solve LCM of numbers in seconds in your mind.
The below give method can easily be used to solve LCM of numbers in seconds without the use
of
paper
work.
THE BELOW GIVEN METHOD OF FINDING LCM OF NUMBERS IS ONE OF THE
BEST IF PRACTICED BETTER.
Here is an example.
Suppose you are given a question:
Find the LCM of 12, 18?
Now here is the shortcut formula for solution of LCM of two numbers or more numbers given
above.
Step
1:
pick the highest of the given numbers of whom we have to find the LCM.
In the above example question, pick 18 as it is highest among 12 and 18.
Step 2: check it whether it can be divided by other number(s). if you can divide it, then it means
your answer is that highest number. But if you cannot divide it by other number(s), then follow
the step 3 given below.
In the above example, check 18 whether it can be divided by 12 or not. Since 18 cannot be
divided by 12, so move on to step 3.
Step 3: multiply the highest number to 2,3,4, and so on till you find that number which can
also be divided by the other number(s).
In the above problem, multiply 18 to 2 in your mind, it is equal to 36. Now check it whether it
can be divided by 12. Since 36 can be divided by 12,
so 36 is the LCM of 12,18.
Now let us take another example.
Find the LCM of 2, 3, 5?
Shortcut formula: pick 5 since it is highest number among the three. Now check it whether it can
be divided by 2 and 3. 5 cannot be divided by 2 and 3. Now think of 5x2= 10 (since you know
the table of 5). Check whether it can be divided by 2 and 3. It again cannot be divided. Now
think of 15 then 20 then 25 then 30. Now 30 is that number which can be divided by 2 and 3.
So the LCM of 2, 3, 5 is 30.
When you practice this method, you can easily solve LCM of numbers in seconds in your mind.
Here is an alternate basic method of finding LCM of Numbers

LCM of numbers: find all the factors of numbers. Now multiply the prime factors but the
common prime factors should be multiplied
For example
Find LCM of 12, 15?
The prime factors of 12 are 2, 2 and 3 because 12= 2x2x3
The prime factors of 15 are 3 and 5 because 15= 3x5
Now multiply each prime factor but the common prime factors should be multiplied once i.e.
since 3 is common prime factor among the factors given above, so we will multiply 3 only once.
So the LCM of 12 and 15 is 2x2x3x5= 60
Shortcut method of finding HCF (Highest common factor)
To find the HCF of numbers, first prime factors of given numbers. Now multiply all the common
prime factors.
Let us take an example.
Find the HCF of 42, 70?
Solution: list the prime factors of both numbers.
42= 2x3x7
70= 2x5x7
Now find the common prime factor. The common prime factors are 2 and 7. So multiply 2 and 7.
2x7= 14
So the HCF of 42 and 70 is 14.

Tricks for series questions in reasoning for

solving them quickly
Tricks on how to solve series problems in reasoning quickly
Series questions are asked in almost all the competitive examination in reasoning section. So it is
very important for a candidate who is preparing for competitive exams to solve series problems
as quickly as possible and also as accurately as possible. So here are some of the tricks that will
give you some idea on how to solve series questions in reasoning quickly.
To solve series questions in reasoning, you have to follow the below given steps in order to solve
the given series in shortest possible time.
Step 1: check the series to see whether it is decreasing or increasing or alternating.
Step 2: do this step if the series is increasing or decreasing.
Check to see if the series in increasing gradually or slowly. If it is so, then it might be an addition
series. However if the series is rising sharply but slows down later, then there is more chances
that the series might be formed by squared or cubed numbers. But if the series is equally sharp
throughout, then there are more chances that the series is multiplication based (with or without
addition or subtraction). The same idea also applies when the series is decreasing (vice-versa).
If the rise of the series is irregular, then there might be a mix of two series going alternately.
Now let us apply the above ideas to solve some example questions of series.
Find the next number in the series?
16, 17, 21, 30, 46, ?
You can see that the series is increasing first by 1, then by 4, then by 9, then by 16. So the series
is rising sharply. It means it should be a series of squared or cubed numbers added at each step.
Also when you look at the difference of numbers (1,4,9,16, ?), you can easily figure out that the
difference of numbers are the squares of normal number series i.e. 1,2,3,4,?. So according to
number series, 5 should come after 4. When we square 5, it equals 25. So we add 25 to 46 which
equals 71. So 71 should be the next number in the series.
Now let us take another example of a series.
Find next number in
-2, 4, 22, 58, 118, ?
Solution: as you can see the series increases sharply in the start when it goes from 4 to 22, but
then it slows down in the last. So it is more likely to be a series in which addition of squared or
cubed numbers is done. Also there is a minus number in the series (-2), so it means there might
be something deducted from the series.
Upon checking the speedy rise, we can figure out that the series increases by the below given
pattern.
(1^3)-3= -2
(2^3)-4= 4

(3^3)-5= 22
(4^3)-6= 58
(5^3)-7= 118
(6^3)-8= 208
So 208 should be the next number in the series.

1. In a certain code, TRIPPLE is written as SQHOOKD. How is DISPOSE written in that

code ?
Option:
A. CHRONRD
B. DSOESPI
C. ESJTPTF
D. ESOPSID
E. None of these
Answer: A . CHRONRD

Justification:
Each letter in the word is moved one step backward to obtain the corresponding letter of the
code.
2. If in a certain language, MADRAS is coded as NBESBT, how is BOMBAY coded in that
code ?
Option:
A. CPNCBX
B. CPNCBZ
C. CPOCBZ
D. CQOCBZ
E. None of these
Answer: B . CPNCBZ

Justification:
Each letter in the word is moved one step forward to obtain the corresponding letter of the code.
3. If in a code language, COULD is written as BNTKC and MARGIN is written as
LZQFHM, how will MOULDING be written in that code ?
Option:
A. CHMFINTK
B. LNKTCHMF
C. LNTKCHMF
D. NITKHCMF
E. None of these
Answer: C . LNTKCHMF

Justification:

Each letter in the word is moved one step backward to obtain the corresponding letter of the
code.
4. In a certain code, MONKEY is written as XDJMNL. How is TIGER written in that
code ?
Option:
A. QDFHS
B. SDFHS
C. SHFDQ
D. UJHFS
E. None of these
Answer: A . QDFHS

Justification:
The letters of the word are written in a reverse order and then each letter is moved one step
backward to obtain the code.
5. In a certain code, COMPUTER is written as RFUVQNPC. How is MEDICINE written in
the same code?
Option:
A. EOJDJEFM
B. EOJDEJFM
C. MFEJDJOE
D. MFEDJJOE
E. None of these
Answer: A . EOJDJEFM

Justification:
The letters of the word are written in a reverse order and each letter, except the first and the last
one, is moved one step forward, to obtain the code.
6. If VICTORY is coded as YLFWRUB, how can SUCCESS be coded ?
Option:
A. VXEEIVV
B. VXFFHVV
C. VYEEHVV
D. VYEFIVV
E. None of these
Answer: B . VXFFHVV

Justification:
Each letter of the word is moved three steps forward to obtain the code.
7. In a certain code, TOGETHER is written as RQEGRJCT. In the same code, PAROLE
will be written as
Option:
A. NCPQJG
B. NCQPJG
C. RCPQJK
D. RCTQNC
E. None of these
Answer: A . NCPQJG

Justification:
The letters at odd positions are each moved two steps backward and those at even positions are
each moved two steps forward to obtain the corresponding letters of the code.
8. If BOMBAY is written as MYMYMY, how will TAMIL NADU be written in that code ?
Option:
A. TIATIATIA
B. MNUMNUMNU
C. IATIATIAT
D. ALDALDALD
E. None of these
Answer: B . MNUMNUMNU

Justification:
The letters at the third and sixth places are repeated thrice to code BOMBAY as MYMYMY.
Similarly, the letters at the third, sixth and ninth places are repeated thrice to code TAMIL
NADU as MNUMNUMNU.
9. If FRIEND is coded as HUMJTK, how is CANDLE written in that code ?
Option:
A. EDRIRL
B. DCQHQK
C. ESJFME
D. FYOBOC
E. DEQJQM

Answer: A . EDRIRL

Justification:
The first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth letters of th word are respectively moved two,
three, four, five, six and seven steps forward to obtain the corresponding letters of the code.
10. If in a certain language, COUNSEL is coded as BITIRAK, how is GUIDANCE written in
that code ?
Option:
A. EOHYZKBB
B. FOHYZJBB
C. FPHZZKAB
D. HOHYBJBA
E. None of these
Answer: B . FOHYZJBB

Justification: The letters at odd positions are each moved one step backward, while the letters at
even positions are respectively moved six, five, four, three, two,... steps backward to obtain the
corresponding letters of the code.
11. If DELHI is coded as 73541 and CALCUTTA as 82589662, how can CALICUT be
coded ?
Option:
A. 5279431
B. 5978213
C. 8251896
D. 8543691
Answer: C . 8251896

Justification:
The alphabets are coded as follows :
D E L H I C A U T
7 3 5 4 1 8 2 9 6

So, in CALICUT,
C is coded as 8,
A as 2,
L as 5,

I as 1,
U as 9 and
T as 6.
Thus, the code for CALICUT is 8251896.
12. In a certain code, RIPPLE is written as 613382 and LIFE is written as 8192. How is
PILLER written in that code ?
Option:

A. 318826
B. 318286
C. 618826
D. 338816
Answer: A . 318826
Justification:
The alphabets are coded as shown :
R

So, in PILLER,
P is coded as 3,
I as 1,
L as 8,
E as 2 and
R as 6.
Thus, the code for PILLER is 318826.
13. If ROSE is coded as 6821, CHAIR is coded as 73456 and PREACH is coded as 961473,
what will be the code for SEARCH ?
Option:
A. 246173
B. 214673
C. 214763
D. 216473
Answer: B . 214673

Justification:
The alphabets are coded as shown :
R O S E C H A I
6 8

2 1 7 3 4 5

So, in SEARCH,
S ia coded as 2,
E as 1,
A as 4,
R as 6,
C as 7,
H as 3.
Thus, the code for SEARCH is 214673.
14. If in a certain code, TWENTY is written as 863985 and ELEVEN is written as 323039,
how is TWELVE written in that code ?
Option:
A. 863203
B. 863584
C. 863903
D. 863063
Answer: A . 863203

Justification:
The alphabets are coded as shown :
T W

E N Y L V

8 6

3 9

5 2 0

So, In TWELVE ,
T is coded as 8,
W as 6,
E as 3,
L as 2,
V as 0.
Thus, the code for TWELVE is 863203.

15. If the letters in PRABA are coded as 27595, and THILAK are coded as 368451, how can
BHARATHI be coded ?
Option:
A. 37536689
B. 57686535
C. 96575368
D. 96855368
Answer: C . 96575368

Justification:
The alphabets are soded as shown :
P R A B T H I L K
2 7 5 9 3 6 8 4 1

So, B is coded as 9,
H as 6,
A as 5,
R as 7,
T as 3 and
I as 8.
Thus, the code for BHARATHI is 96575368.
16. If GIVE is coded as 5137 and BAT is coded as 924, how is GATE coded ?
Option:
A. 5427
B. 5724
C. 5247
D. 2547
Answer: C . 5247

Justification:
The alphabets are soded as shown :
G

So, G is coded as 5,
A as 2,
T as 4 and
E as 7.
Thus, the code fro GATE is 5247.
17. If PALE is coded as 2134, EARTH is coded as 41590, how is PEARL coded in that
code ?
Option:
A. 29530
B. 24153
C. 25413
D. 25430
Answer: B . 24153

Justification:
The alphabets are coded as shown :
P

So, P is coded as 2,
E as 4,
A as 1,
R as 5 and
L as 3.
Thus, the code for PEARL is 24153.
18. If in a certain language if ENTRY is coded as 12345 and STEADY is coded as 931785,
then state which is the correct code for below word. TENANT
Option:
A. 956169
B. 196247
C. 352123
D. 312723
Answer: D . 312723

Justification:
The alphabets are soded as shown :

T R Y S A

3 4

5 9 7

T is coded as 3
E as 1,
N as 2 and
A as 7.
So, TENANT is coded as 312723.
http://www.edugoog.com/series-completion/question-answer/number-series/1.html