In a certain code language, ‘GUAVA’ is written as ‘21-5-1-6-1’, then how will…

Concept: This code language handles vowels and consonants by two different rules. A vowel is replaced by its serial number in the vowel sequence A, E, I, O, U, so A = 1, E = 2, I = 3, O = 4 and U = 5. A consonant is replaced by its position counted from the end of the alphabet plus one, which is the same as 28 minus its position from the start.

Application (verify the rule on the given word): GUAVA is spelt G, U, A, V, A.

1. G is a consonant, so its value is 28 - 7 = 21.

2. U is a vowel and the fifth vowel, so its value is 5.

3. A is a vowel and the first vowel, so its value is 1.

4. V is a consonant, so its value is 28 - 22 = 6.

5. A is again the first vowel, so its value is 1.

Reading the five values in order gives 21-5-1-6-1, exactly the code given for GUAVA, so the rule is confirmed.

Applying the same rule to APRICOT:

Cross-check: Use the other form of the consonant rule - counting from the end of the alphabet, P is 11th so it gives 11 + 1 = 12, R is 9th so 9 + 1 = 10, C is 24th so 24 + 1 = 25, and T is 7th so 7 + 1 = 8, while the vowels A, I and O keep their vowel serials 1, 3 and 4. Both routes give the same seven values. Note that the code is not reversible on its own, because a value such as 3 can come from the vowel I or from the consonant Y, so always encode the given word instead of decoding the number string.

Answer: 1-12-10-3-25-4-8