Logical reasoning · lesson 9 of 30 · free

Alphabet positions — Logical reasoning for kids

Many reasoning questions ask about letter positions: the 5th letter to the right of M, the position of R, or the 7th letter from the end. Learn a few anchor letters and these become quick sums.

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How to think it through

From the start + from the end = 27 — “a letter’s place counted from A and from Z always add up to 27”

  1. Remember EJOTY: E = 5, J = 10, O = 15, T = 20, Y = 25, and count from the nearest one.
  2. To the right means later in the alphabet (add); to the left means earlier (take away).
  3. Position from the end = 27 − position from the start.

Use it for: Alphabet tests and coding–decoding in reasoning papers, and finding words in a dictionary.

Worked example: Which letter is 5th to the right of M in the alphabet (A to Z)? R

  1. M is letter 13. To the right means later in the alphabet.
  2. 13 + 5 = 18, and letter 18 is R.

Check: N, O, P, Q, R — five steps from M ✓

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✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

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🖨️ Alphabet Test Worksheet

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