If WOLSLXO represents TRIVIAL, what does MNIFHK stand for?

2024

If WOLSLXO represents TRIVIAL, what does MNIFHK stand for?

  1. A.

    PKLCKH

  2. B.

    JQFIEN

  3. C.

    JQFEIN

  4. D.

    FQJIEN

Attempted by 1 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Concept: In this word-based coding-decoding pattern, each letter of the code word (the string that 'represents' the answer) is converted into the corresponding letter of the decoded word by an alternating cyclic (Caesar-style) alphabet shift applied to the code letter — the shift amount keeps alternating between the same two values, e.g. -3, +3, -3, +3, ..., across consecutive letters, and the alphabet wraps around (after Z comes A again, and before A comes Z again).

Application: The image shows the code word WOLSLXO decoded into TRIVIAL by applying the alternating shifts -3, +3, -3, +3, -3, +3, -3 to each of its letters in turn. Using the same alternating pattern (starting again with -3) on the code word MNIFHK gives:

  1. M (13th letter) shifts -3 to become J (10th letter).

  2. N (14th letter) shifts +3 to become Q (17th letter).

  3. I (9th letter) shifts -3 to become F (6th letter).

  4. F (6th letter) shifts +3 to become I (9th letter).

  5. H (8th letter) shifts -3 to become E (5th letter).

  6. K (11th letter) shifts +3 to become N (14th letter).

Reading the shifted letters in order gives J, Q, F, I, E, N, i.e. JQFIEN — this is the word that MNIFHK stands for.

Cross-check: applying the reverse alternating shifts (+3, -3, +3, -3, +3, -3) to J, Q, F, I, E, N reproduces M, N, I, F, H, K exactly, confirming the mapping is consistent in both directions.

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