Find the option that best completes the analogy. DP : XZ :: EN : ?
- (a)YZ
- (b)YB
- (c)ZB
- (d)YX
Answer
Why
Correct — D.
Rule: first letter +20, second letter +10.
D(4) + 20 = X(24)
P(16) + 10 = Z(26)
E(5) + 20 = Y(25)
N(14) + 10 = X(24)
EN becomes YX → option (d).
Why the others are wrong
- (a)YZ — YZ gets Y right, but Z is N + 12. The second letter moves +10, as P → Z shows, and N(14) + 10 = X(24).
- (b)YB — YB puts B second, which is N + 14 after wrapping past Z. The second letter moves +10, so N lands on X.
- (c)ZB — ZB moves E by +21 and N by +14. The pair DP → XZ fixes the moves at +20 and +10, which give Y and X.
Concept
Turn each letter into its position (A = 1 … Z = 26) and measure how far each letter of the first pair moves.
D → X is +20 and P → Z is +10. The two letters move by different amounts, so apply each move to the letter in the same place: E takes +20 and N takes +10.
Counting backwards gives the same letters: on a 26-letter wheel +20 is −6 and +10 is −16. E − 6 wraps to Y and N − 16 wraps to X.
Key facts
- D = 4, E = 5, N = 14, P = 16, X = 24, Y = 25, Z = 26.
- On a 26-letter wheel, +20 is the same move as −6.
- Each letter of a pair can move by its own amount, so measure both.
Study next
Common traps
- Applying +20 to both letters: N + 20 wraps to H, which is in no option
- Checking the first letter only, when YZ, YB and YX all begin with Y
18 Sep 2025, 12:30, Reasoning Q.14 sets the identical item, DP : XZ :: EN : ?, also keyed YX.
12 Sep 2025, 09:00, Reasoning Q.12, AG : IO :: CM : ?, moves both letters +8 and keys KU.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.