Points to Remember:
- This question requires identifying a pattern in a letter substitution cipher.
- The approach is purely analytical, focusing on deciphering the coding logic.
- The solution involves observing the shift in alphabetical position between the original letters and their coded counterparts.
Introduction:
This question presents a letter substitution cipher, a type of code where each letter is systematically replaced by another. To decipher the code, we need to identify the consistent rule used to transform “TFOEGW” into “SGNFFX”. Once this rule is established, we can apply it to decode “OFNKBZ”. Letter substitution ciphers have a long history in cryptography, used for secure communication since ancient times.
Body:
Identifying the Coding Pattern:
Let’s analyze the transformation of “TFOEGW” to “SGNFFX”:
| Original Letter | Coded Letter | Difference |
|—|—|—|
| T | S | -1 |
| F | G | +1 |
| O | N | -1 |
| E | F | +1 |
| G | F | -1 |
| W | X | +1 |
The pattern reveals an alternating shift of -1 and +1 in the alphabetical position of each letter. Specifically, the odd-numbered letters (1st, 3rd, 5th) shift -1, and the even-numbered letters (2nd, 4th, 6th) shift +1.
Decoding “OFNKBZ”:
Applying the identified pattern to “OFNKBZ”:
| Original Letter | Position | Shift | Coded Letter |
|—|—|—|—|
| O | 15 | -1 | N |
| F | 6 | +1 | G |
| N | 14 | -1 | M |
| K | 11 | +1 | L |
| B | 2 | -1 | A |
| Z | 26 | +1 | A |
Therefore, “OFNKBZ” is coded as “NGMLAA”.
Conclusion:
By analyzing the letter substitution pattern in the example “TFOEGW” to “SGNFFX”, we identified an alternating shift of -1 and +1 in the alphabetical positions of consecutive letters. Applying this pattern to “OFNKBZ”, we successfully decoded it as “NGMLAA”. This demonstrates the importance of pattern recognition in deciphering simple substitution ciphers. Further advancements in cryptography involve more complex algorithms to ensure secure communication in the digital age. The ability to analyze and solve such puzzles highlights the fundamental principles of logical reasoning and problem-solving.
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