In the following question, a pair of letters is given, followed by its corresponding product of alphabetical positions (A = 1, B = 2, ..., Z = 26). A second pair of letters is given without its product. Identify the correct product for the second pair that maintains the same relationship as the first. HxL : 8×12 :: TxZ : ?

Correct — A.
Rule: each letter is replaced by its alphabet position, written as a product.

H is the 8th letter and L the 12th → 8×12.
T is the 20th letter and Z the 26th → 20×26 → option (a).

Why the others are wrong

• (b)
  21×25 — 21×25 is U×Y, each factor one step inside the pair: T + 1 and Z − 1. T is 20 and Z is 26.
• (c)
  19×24 — 19×24 is S×X. S is one before T and X two before Z, so neither factor is the position of T or Z.
• (d)
  22×23 — 22×23 is V×W, letters from between T and Z. The positions of T and Z themselves are 20 and 26.

The first pair shows the code: H and L are the 8th and 12th letters, so HxL becomes 8×12. The product is left unworked, so the whole task is recalling two positions.

Z = 26 is the anchor at the end of the alphabet. T = 20 is one of the EJOTY anchors: E5, J10, O15, T20, Y25.

Key facts

• E = 5, J = 10, O = 15, T = 20 and Y = 25 are the EJOTY anchors.
• Late letters are quickest counted back from Z = 26: Y = 25, X = 24.

Common traps

• Being one off on T: 19 (S) and 21 (U) both appear among the options

No directly related past PYQ was found.