UPSC Prelims 2007 · General Studies
Question 138: Basic Numeracy
All six letters of the name SACHIN are arranged to form different words without repeating any letter in any one word. The words so formed are then arranged as a dictionary. What will be the position of the word SACHIN in that sequence?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Arrange the letters alphabetically: A, C, H, I, N, S. Words starting with A, C, H, I or N come before any word starting with S: 5 letters x 5! = 5 x 120 = 600 words. SACHIN is the first word starting with S, since its remaining letters A, C, H, I, N are already in alphabetical order. So its position is 600 + 1 = 601.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) 436 is too low; 600 words come before the S-words.
- (b) 590 is too low; SACHIN is the 601st word.
- (c) Correct: 600 + 1 = 601.
- (d) 751 is too high; SACHIN is the first S-word.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2007, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.