Concept 5 of 5
Letter & Coding Analogies
Today's big idea
Find the rule on the alphabet positions, then run the same rule on the second pair.
Each letter has a place, A=1 to Z=26, so the link is a step you can count.
How it works
👀 What's going on?
An analogy can hide inside letters too. C is to E as P is to what? The two pairs share one rule, and the rule works on where each letter sits in the alphabet.
💡 Here's the trick
Look at the pair above. C is the 3rd letter and E is the 5th, so the rule is 'step 2 letters on'. Every letter has a place, from A=1 to Z=26, and the link is a rule on those places. Find it on the first pair, then run the same rule on the second.
🪄 How to do it
- 1.Number the letters, as the picture above shows A=1 up to Z=26.
- 2.Work out the rule on the first pair, like the number of steps or a swap.
- 3.Apply that exact rule to the second pair.
✍️ Try it
First G : I :: M : ? Then F : 6 :: J : ? Work out each rule before you answer either one.
The first rule is 'step 2 letters on', so M steps to O. The second rule is its place in the alphabet, so J becomes 10. Counting on the alphabet is what keeps the step exact.
⚠️ Watch out
You might trust a rule after checking only one letter. Always test it on BOTH letters of the first pair, and near Z count carefully so a step does not run off the end.
🌟 Why this matters
Secret codes, keyboard shortcuts and spreadsheet columns all lean on the alphabet having fixed places. Turning letters into positions is the same trick puzzle-setters use.
Exam tip: Write A=1 to Z=26 in the margin, because most wrong options are one step out.
See it in action
⚡ Time to play!
A is to B as C is to ? — tap a rule to test it on C. The right rule turns C into E.
LETTER CODE · ROUND 1 OF 3
Quick check
✅ VERIFICATION
G : 7 :: L : ? (each letter becomes its place in the alphabet)
⚡ Finish the activity above first to answer.
Keep going!