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REASONING

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CODING & DECODING,
ODD ONE OUT, SYLLOGISM

1. CODING DECODING

Coding-decoding is one of the most widely asked topics in Reasoning Section. Initially there
used to be different type of questions that were asked in Exam while now-a-days as the level
of Exams is increasing, new type of questions are added in the topic to make the overall
paper challenging.
So in this section, we are going to discuss basics related to coding-decoding and each type
of questions from this topic so that it will be easy for you to understand the approach to solve
those questions.
Let’s see various types of questions from coding-decoding one by one.
1.1. Type I:
Sometimes the alphabets are replaced by some other alphabets in a given word and thus
a coded word is obtained. The alphabets replacement occurs according to some pattern.
We have to observe that pattern and implement the same in the question asked.
Example-1:
In a certain coding language, ‘WISDOM’ is written as ‘OMFQKU’ then how will ‘WATER’ be
written in that language?
Solution:
After proper observation, we can see that:
W-2=U
I+2=K
S-2=Q
D+2=F
O-2=M
M+2=O
And now the coded alphabets are written in reverse order i.e. OMFQKU
Same pattern will be used for finding the code for WATER
W-2=U
A+2=C
T-2=R
E+2=G
R-2=P
And now the coded alphabets are written in reverse order.i.e. PGRCU. So this is the coded
word for WATER.

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1.2. Type II:

Sometimes the alphabets in the word are directly replaced by some numbers or symbols.

Generally more than one example of such conversion is given which helps us in identifying

the coded number/symbol sequence for the asked question.

Example-2:

If ‘APPLE’ is coded as 14489 and ‘BANANA’ is coded as 315151 THEN how will ‘PALE’ be

coded?

1. 1489

2. 1589

3. 5189

4. 4189

5. None of these

Solution:

In the given question, code for APPLE and BANANA are given which enables us to get the

code for each of the alphabet for word ‘PALE’.

NOTE: We can find code for any word consisting alphabets A, P, L, N, B, E.

A-1

P-4

L-8

E-9

B-3

N-5

Then ‘PALE’ will be coded as

P-4

A-1

L-8

E-9

So, the answer is ‘4189’

1.3. Type III:

Sometimes the coding is not at alphabetical level while it is given directly for the words

i.e. one word is replaced by some other word. So we have to be careful while giving the

answer because we have to write the coded word as the answer for the one which is

logically the answer.

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Example-3:

If ‘RED’ is called ‘WHITE’, ‘WHITE’ is called ‘BLUE’, ‘BLUE’ is called ‘GREEN’ and ‘GREEN’

is called ‘BLACK’, then what will be the colour of blood?

1. RED

2. WHITE

3. GREEN

4. BLUE

5. BLACK

Solution:

In this example, logically the color of blood should be RED but we have to write the coded

word for the word RED which is WHITE. So WHITE is the answer for this question.

1.4. Type IV:

(In trend) In some of the questions, three or four complete messages are given in the

coded language and the code for a particular word is asked. To analyse such codes, any

two messages bearing one or more common words are picked up so that we can extract

the coded words for the actual words. Proceeding similarly by picking up all possible

combinations of two, the entire message can be analysed and all the words can be

decoded.

Directions: In a certain coded language:

1. ‘money is not everything’ is written as ‘ma pa na ra’,

2. ‘everything is important’ is written as ‘na ma ta’,

3. ‘something is not right’ is written as ‘pa na ga sa’

Solution:

From first two statements, we can infer that ‘everything is’ is written as ‘ma na’

From first and third statements, we can infer that ‘is not’ is written as ‘pa na’

From these two conclusions, we can infer that

‘is’ is written as ‘na’

‘everything’ is written as ‘ma’

‘not’ is written as ‘pa’

Now we can look at first statement and infer that

‘money’ is written as ‘ra’

Now we can look at second statement and infer that

‘important’ is written as ‘ta’

‘Something right’ is written as ‘ga sa’

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Example-4:
What is the code for ‘important’ in the given coded language?
1. na
2. ma
3. ta
4. ra
5. None of these
Solution:
The answer for this question will be ‘ta’.
Example-5:
What is the code for ‘not’ in the given coded language?
1. na
2. sa
3. ga
4. pa
5. None of these
Solution:
The answer for this question will be ‘pa’.
Example-6:
What may be the possible code for ‘something is everything’?
1. ga na sa
2. ga pa sa
3. ga ma pa
4. sa ma na
5. None of these
Solution:
‘is’ is written as ‘na’
‘everything’ is written as ‘ma’
‘something’ is written as either ‘ga’or ‘sa’
So code for ‘something is everything’ can be either ‘na ma ga’ or ‘na ma sa’.
So option 4 is correct answer.
1.5. Type V:
Sometimes the code for various digits is given in a tabular form followed by some rules.
The questions consist of a series of the digits (from the table) and the rules specify the
modification in the digits while writing the code for the series given. We have to check all
the rules while writing the code for the given series of digits.

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Directions: In these questions a group of digits is given followed by four combinations

of letters and symbols numbered (1), (2), (3) and (4).
Digits are to be coded as per the scheme and conditions given below. You have to find
out which of the four combinations correctly represents the group of digits. Serial number
of that combination is your answer. If none of the combinations is correct, your answer
is (5) i.e., ‘None of these'.
Digit :512863 904 7
Letter/Symbol Codes : H $ T A U % # F R @
Rules:
(i) If first digit is odd and the last digit is even their codes are to be interchanged.
(ii) If the first as well as the last digit is even both are to be coded as *
(iii) If the first digit is even and the last digit is odd both are to be coded as the code for
last digit.
Example-7:
What will be the code for ‘471536’?
1. *@$H%*
2. R@$H%U
3. U@$H%U
4. R@$H%R
5. None of these
Solution:
The first as well as last digit in ‘471536’ is even so condition (ii) follows which specifies
that we will have to * as a code for both 4 and 6 while the code for other digits will be as
per the given table.

So option 1 is correct answer.

Example-8:
What will be the code for ‘697845’?
1. U#@ARU
2. U#@ARH
3. H#@ARH
4. R#@ARU
5. None of these

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Solution:

The first digit in ‘697845’ is even while the last digit is odd so condition (iii) follows which

specifies that we will have to code both 6 and 5 as per the code of 5 using table while the

code for other digits will be as per the given table.

So option 3 is correct answer.

Example-9:

What will be the code for ‘590247’?

1. @#FTRH

2. H#FTR@

3. H#FTRH

4. @#FTR@

5. None of these

Solution:

The first as well last digit in ‘590247’ is odd so no condition follows which means that the

code for all the digits will be as per the given table.

So option 2 is correct answer.

2. ODD ONE OUT

2.1. Finding the Odd-Word: In such questions, four ‘meaningful’ words are given. These

words can be found in dictionary. Apart from that, these have similar feature, based

on that we’re supposed to find the odd-word.

Example-10:

A. Treachery

B. Fraud

C. Deceit

D. Morbid

Answer:

Here, we can see that all except Morbid are synonymous to each other as they all mean

‘falsehood’ while ‘morbid’ means ‘diseased’. So, here we should have good vocabulary to

solve such questions.

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Example-11:
A. Feeling
B. Joy
C. Anxiety
D. Anger
Answer:
Here, Joy, Anxiety and Anger are all the type of Feeling. And, Feeling is a generic(or
general) term. To solve this, we need good knowledge of adjectives.
Example-12:
A. Skull
B. Appendix
C. Pelvis
D. Fibula
Answer:
Here, All except Appendix are bones. While Appendix is an organ made of muscle. To
solve this, we need basic knowledge of science.
2.2. Finding the odd-pair of words:
In such questions, four options are given. Each option has a pair of words (that can be
found in dictionary & hence meaningful). Each three pair depicts a relationship among
each other and this relationship is common in all the four pairs but can’t be found in 4 th
odd-one pair. We’re supposed to find that odd-pair which doesn’t possess that common
relationship
Example-13:
A. Lion: Roar
B. Snake: Hiss
C. Frog: Bleat
D. Bees: hum
Answer:
In all the pairs, the second word is the sound made by the animal which is also the first
word. But in the pair of frog: bleat, bleat is the sound made by sheep not frogs.
Example-14:
A. Protein: Marasmus
B. Sodium: rickets
C. Iodine: Goitre
D. Iron: Anemia

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Answer:
In all the pairs, the second word describes the diseases, caused by deficiency of element
which is first word. But in the pair of Sodium: Rickets, Rickets is being caused by
deficiency of Vitamin D not Sodium.
Example-15:
A. Valley: Depth
B. Good: bad
C. High: Low
D. Black: white
Answer:
Here, all the pairs contain the words which are antonym i.e. they mean opposite of each
other. But, Valley & Depth are synonym to each other.
2.3. Finding the odd number:
In such questions, four numbers are given. Each of the 3 numbers have common features
like they are prime numbers or odd numbers or all divisible by ‘7’ while the 4 th number
isn’t so we have to identify that odd-number which doesn’t have the feature the other
four numbers have
Example-16:
A. 145
B. 197
C. 257
D. 399
Answer:
Here, all the numbers except 399 are of the form (Square + 1) like 257 ⇒ 162 + 1 But
399 ⇒ 398 + 1 ⇒ 398 is not the square of any number.
Example-17:
A. 3759
B. 2936
C. 6927
D. 4836
Answer:
Here, in all the options the pattern depicted is like this: Like in 3759 ⇒ (7+9) = 2×(3+5)
⇒ 16 = 2 × 8 But 2936 isn’t following this pattern: (2+6) ≠ 2×(2+3)
Example-18:
A. 5698
B. 4321
C. 7963
D. 4232

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Answer:
Here, ‘4232’ is the only number where digits have been repeated while all other options
have three different unique digits.
2.4. Finding the odd-pair of numbers:
In such questions, four options are given. Each option has a pair of numbers. Each four
pair depicts a relationship among each other and this relationship is common in all the
three pairs but can’t be found in 4 th odd-one pair. We’re supposed to find that odd-pair
which doesn’t possess that common relationship.
Example-19:
A. 140 - 45
B. 110 – 35
C. 100 – 30
D. 80 – 25
Answer:
The pattern seen here is (first number – 5) ÷3= Second number. like 140 – 45 ⇒ (140 –
5) ÷ 3 = 45 But 100 – 30 ⇒ (100 – 5) ÷ 3 ≠ 30
Example-20:
A. 7: 26
B. 8: 30
C. 10: 35
D. 13: 44
Answer:
Here, the pattern is: 2nd number = (1st number × 3) + 5 Like in 7: 26 ⇒ 26 = 7 × 3 +
5 = 26 but in case 8: 30 ⇒ 30 ≠ 8×3 + 5
Example-21:
A. 21-49
B. 24-64
C. 25-54
D. 81-36
Answer:
21 & 49 have 7 as common factor, 24 & 64 have 8 as common factor. 81 & 36 have 9 as
a common factor while 25 & 54 have no common factor.
2.5. Finding the odd letters:
In such types of questions, four options contain random group of letters. These random
groups of letters have common pattern and this pattern is common in all the three options
but can’t be found in 4th odd-one. We’re supposed to find that odd-one which doesn’t
possess that common pattern. For example,

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Example-22:
A. DECB
B. GDFE
C. HKIJ
D. JFHG
Answer:
All except JFHG contain consecutive alphabets in random order.
Example-23:
A. ACZX
B. BDYW
C. EGVT
D. CEUS
Answer:
In all the groups except CEUS, 1st and 3rd letters occupy the same position from the
beginning & end of alphabetical series respectively.

3. SYLLOGISM

Here, we will understand the basics of syllogism, How the Venn Diagram can be drawn for both
Definite and Possibility cases.

Affirmative (+) Negative (-)

Universal All A are B No A are B

Particular Some A are B Some A are not B

3.1. Case I: Universal Affirmative

All A are B

Figure 1
Set A is a subset of B
Can’t infer that “Some B are not A” (from diagram 1.2).
It is different from “All B are A”.

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3.2. Case II: Universal negative

No A are B

Figure 2
Two sets, A and B do not overlap each other in this case.
It is same as “No B are A”.
It can be also written as “All A are not B” and “ All B are not A”.
3.3. Case III: Particular Affirmative
Some A are B

Figure 3
There is at least one element that is both in set A and B.
Can’t infer that “Some A are not B”.
It is the same as “Some B are A”.
3.4. Case IV: Particular Negative
Some A are not B

Figure 4
There is at least one element(Shaded portion) in set A that is not a part of set B.
Can’t infer that “Some A are B’.
It is different from “Some B are not A”.
In this type there are two types of conclusions, one is the definite conclusion and another
one is the possible conclusion. In case of, the definite conclusion you must draw a basic
diagram (i.e. Minimum overlapping) and for the possible conclusion, you have to check
all possible cases.

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Example-24:
Statements:
(1)Some Cakes are Roses
(2)All Roses are Trucks
(3)No Trucks are Bricks
(4)At least some Bricks are Hotels
Conclusions:
(1)Some Trucks are Cakes
(2)Some Bricks are Roses
(3)All Cakes are Trucks
(4)Some Hotels are Cakes
Solution:
First, you should draw basic diagrams.

Figure 5
Now, we can see that
Conclusion1 is true. As Cakes and Trucks are intersecting each other.
Conclusion2: There is no relation mentioned between Bricks and Roses. So, we can’t
comment about it.
Conclusion3: Intersection of Trucks and Cakes is due to Roses. We can’t comment about
all Cakes.
Conclusion4: There is no relation mentioned between Hotels and Cars. So, we can’t
comment about it.
Hence, Conclusion 1 follows.
3.5. Possibility Cases
In the case of Possibility cases, we have to infer all possible cases which can be possible.
In exams, you don’t need to draw a diagram for each and every possible case. In this,
the basic and definite condition should not be changed.
Example-25:
Statements:
(1) All Locks are Doors
(2) All Doors are Bags
(3) Some Tickets are not Doors
(4) All Tickets are Keys.

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Conclusions:
(1)Some Locks are not Tickets
(2)Some Tickets are not Bags
(3)All Locks being Tickets is a possibility.
(4)All Keys being Doors is a possibility.
Solution:

Figure 6
In Statement 3 Some Tickets are not Doors, it is Case IV (Particular Negative).
Conclusion1: We can’t comment about this because there are more than one possible
case and it is a basic statement.
Conclusion2: There is no mention of a relation to this also. We cannot comment about it
too.
Conclusion3: It is a possible conclusion, we can see that in the below diagram it has not
violated the basic condition that "Some Tickets are not Doors(Dotted line portion of
Tickets are not Doors)" and followed all statements given. So, it is true.
But if it has not been a 'possibility conclusion, this conclusion does not follow will be our
answer

Figure 7
In Conclusion 4, From the below possible diagram, we can see that “All Ticket are Keys”
also all Tickets are Doors. So it is violating the basic condition that “Some Tickets are
not Doors”.

Figure 8
Hence, only conclusion 3 follows.
****

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