If each letter in the word PRAYING is arranged in English alphabetical order,…
2026
If each letter in the word PRAYING is arranged in English alphabetical order, how many letters will remain in their original positions?
Answer: A. Zero — ConceptWhen a word is rearranged alphabetically, an original position remains unchanged only if the letter at that index is the same in both the original and…
- A.
Zero
- B.
Two
- C.
Three
- D.
One
Attempted by 42 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
When a word is rearranged alphabetically, an original position remains unchanged only if the letter at that index is the same in both the original and sorted sequences.
Therefore, write both sequences with aligned indices, compare them position by position, and count the exact matches.
Application
Write the original sequence with positions: 1–P, 2–R, 3–A, 4–Y, 5–I, 6–N, 7–G.
Arrange the same letters alphabetically: 1–A, 2–G, 3–I, 4–N, 5–P, 6–R, 7–Y.
Compare corresponding letters: P/A, R/G, A/I, Y/N, I/P, N/R, and G/Y. None of these pairs match.
Contrast
Two would require exactly two matching positions, but the aligned comparison has no matching pair.
Three would require exactly three matching positions, but the aligned comparison has no matching pair.
One would require exactly one matching position, but the aligned comparison has no matching pair.
Cross-check and result
The sorted sequence uses exactly the same letters A, G, I, N, P, R, Y, and a second scan of all seven aligned positions again gives zero equal pairs. Therefore, Zero letters remain in their original positions.