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. NxP : 14×16 :: ExI : ?

Correct — A.
Rule: replace each letter by its alphabet position, keeping the × between them.

Check the given pair: N = 14, P = 16 → 14×16 ✓
Apply it: E = 5, I = 9 → 5×9 → option (a).

Why the others are wrong

• (b)
  6×9 — 6 is F, not E. E is the 5th letter. The 9 for I is right, so one factor is off.
• (c)
  5×10 — 10 is J. I is the 9th letter, so the second factor must be 9. The 5 for E is right.
• (d)
  6×8 — Both factors are one off: 6 is F and 8 is H. E and I are 5 and 9.

Letter-position items use A = 1, B = 2 … Z = 26. The given pair shows the rule: NxP becomes 14×16 because N is the 14th letter and P the 16th.

For speed, learn the anchors E5, J10, O15, T20, Y25 and count from the nearest one. E is an anchor itself, and I is one before J: 10 − 1 = 9.

Key facts

• Anchor positions: E5, J10, O15, T20, Y25.
• N = 14, P = 16, E = 5, I = 9.

Common traps

• Counting I as the 10th letter, which is J
• Starting the count at A = 0, which makes every position one short

No directly related past PYQ was found.