Word–Number Puzzles

In this lesson, you will learn about word–number puzzles. These questions give you words alongside numbers and ask you to find a hidden mathematical or logical relationship. They combine your vocabulary skills with your number skills.

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What Are Word–Number Puzzles?

In a word–number puzzle, you are given pairs of words and numbers. There is a rule connecting each word to its number. You must discover the rule and use it to find the missing number or word.

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Type 1: Number of Letters

Worked Example 1

Question: Using the same rule, find the missing number.

CAT = 3, HOUSE = 5, ELEPHANT = ?

Step-by-step:

1. CAT has 3 letters, and the code is 3.
2. HOUSE has 5 letters, and the code is 5.
3. The rule is: the number equals the number of letters in the word.
4. ELEPHANT has 8 letters.
5. Answer: 8

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Type 2: Sum of Letter Positions

Worked Example 2

Question: If ACE = 9, what does BED equal?

Step-by-step:

1. Find the positions: A=1, C=3, E=5. Sum: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9. That matches!
2. The rule is: add up the position numbers of all the letters.
3. For BED: B=2, E=5, D=4. Sum: 2 + 5 + 4 = 11.
4. Answer: 11

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Type 3: Number of Vowels or Consonants

Worked Example 3

Question: Find the rule and the missing number.

APPLE = 2, ORANGE = 3, BANANA = 3, GRAPE = ?

Step-by-step:

1. Count vowels (A, E, I, O, U):
   • APPLE: A, E = 2 vowels (the double P and L are consonants)
   • ORANGE: O, A, E = 3 vowels
   • BANANA: A, A, A = 3 vowels
   • GRAPE: A, E = 2 vowels
2. The rule is: count the vowels.
3. Answer: 2

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Type 4: Alphabet Position of a Specific Letter

Worked Example 4

Question: Find the rule and the missing number.

CAT = 3, DOG = 4, HEN = 8, PIG = ?

Step-by-step:

1. Look at each word and number:
   • CAT = 3. C is the 3rd letter. That matches!
   • DOG = 4. D is the 4th letter. That matches!
   • HEN = 8. H is the 8th letter. That matches!
2. The rule is: the number is the position of the first letter.
3. For PIG: P is the 16th letter.
4. Answer: 16

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Type 5: Mathematical Operations on Letters

Worked Example 5

Question: If AB = 3, CD = 7, EF = 11, what does GH equal?

Step-by-step:

1. Convert to positions:
   • AB: A=1, B=2. Sum = 3. That matches!
   • CD: C=3, D=4. Sum = 7. That matches!
   • EF: E=5, F=6. Sum = 11. That matches!
2. The rule is: add the positions of the two letters.
3. GH: G=7, H=8. Sum = 7 + 8 = 15.
4. Answer: 15

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Type 6: Difference Between Letters

Worked Example 6

Question: Find the rule and the missing number.

AE = 4, BG = 5, CJ = 7, DM = ?