Given the series:

$$F\ 3\ 6\ N\ @\ 9\ K\ T\ Q\ 5\ C\ %\ 8\ B\ #\ 7\ D\ S\ *\ H\ 4\ W\ L$$

The series is rearranged in the following steps:

- **STEP I:** The numbers which are immediately preceded by a symbol and immediately followed by an alphabet are placed at the end of the series in increasing order (immediately after L).

- **STEP II:** The odd numbers which are immediately preceded by an alphabet swap their position with the alphabet just before them.

- **STEP III:** The alphabets which are immediately followed by a symbol are arranged in alphabetical order between H and 4 of step II.

(Note: STEP II is applied after STEP I, and STEP III is applied after STEP II.)

**Question:** What is the sum of the number which is sixth from the right end in STEP I and the number which is eighth from the left end in STEP III?

Question

Given the series:

$$F\ 3\ 6\ N\ @\ 9\ K\ T\ Q\ 5\ C\ %\ 8\ B\ #\ 7\ D\ S\ *\ H\ 4\ W\ L$$

The series is rearranged in the following steps:

- **STEP I:** The numbers which are immediately preceded by a symbol and immediately followed by an alphabet are placed at the end of the series in increasing order (immediately after L).

- **STEP II:** The odd numbers which are immediately preceded by an alphabet swap their position with the alphabet just before them.

- **STEP III:** The alphabets which are immediately followed by a symbol are arranged in alphabetical order between H and 4 of step II.

(Note: STEP II is applied after STEP I, and STEP III is applied after STEP II.)

**Question:** What is the sum of the number which is sixth from the right end in STEP I and the number which is eighth from the left end in STEP III?

Accepted Answer

**Solution:**

1. **Original series:**

$$F\ 3\ 6\ N\ @\ 9\ K\ T\ Q\ 5\ C\ %\ 8\ B\ #\ 7\ D\ S\ *\ H\ 4\ W\ L$$

2. **STEP I:** Identify numbers immediately preceded by a symbol and immediately followed by an alphabet.

- Symbols: @, %, #, *
- Numbers preceded by symbol and followed by alphabet:
  - @ 9 K (9 is preceded by @ and followed by K)
  - % 8 B (8 is preceded by % and followed by B)
  - # 7 D (7 is preceded by # and followed by D)

These numbers (9, 8, 7) are taken out and placed at the end of the series in increasing order immediately after L.

So, the numbers 7, 8, 9 are appended at the end.

**Series after STEP I:**

$$F\ 3\ 6\ N\ @\ K\ T\ Q\ 5\ C\ %\ B\ #\ D\ S\ *\ H\ 4\ W\ L\ 7\ 8\ 9$$

3. **Find the 6th number from the right end in STEP I:**

Counting from right:
- 1st: 9
- 2nd: 8
- 3rd: 7
- 4th: L
- 5th: W
- 6th: 4

So, the 6th from right end is **4**.

4. **STEP II:** Odd numbers immediately preceded by an alphabet swap positions with that alphabet.

Odd numbers in series: 3, 9, 5, 7

Check which odd numbers are immediately preceded by an alphabet:

- 3 is preceded by F (alphabet) → swap positions: 3 and F
- 9 is now at the end (after STEP I), preceded by 8 (number), so no swap
- 5 is preceded by Q (alphabet) → swap positions: 5 and Q
- 7 is at the end, preceded by L (alphabet) → swap positions: 7 and L

After swapping:

- 3 and F swap → positions of F and 3 exchanged
- 5 and Q swap
- 7 and L swap

**Series after STEP II:**

$$3\ F\ 6\ N\ @\ K\ T\ 5\ C\ %\ B\ #\ D\ S\ *\ H\ 4\ W\ 7\ L\ 8\ 9$$

5. **STEP III:** Alphabets immediately followed by a symbol are arranged in alphabetical order between H and 4 of STEP II.

Identify alphabets immediately followed by a symbol:

Symbols: @, %, #, *

From the series:

- N @
- C %
- B #
- S *

Alphabets: N, C, B, S

Arrange these alphabets in alphabetical order:

B, C, N, S

Place them between H and 4 in the series.

Current series segment around H and 4:

... S * H 4 W ...

Replace S, C, N, B in alphabetical order between H and 4:

... H B C N S 4 W ...

**Final series after STEP III:**

$$3\ F\ 6\ N\ @\ K\ T\ 5\ C\ %\ B\ #\ D\ S\ *\ H\ B\ C\ N\ S\ 4\ W\ 7\ L\ 8\ 9$$

6. **Find the 8th number from the left end in STEP III:**

Counting from left:

1: 3
2: F
3: 6
4: N
5: @
6: K
7: T
8: 5

The 8th element is **5**.

7. **Sum required:**

6th from right in STEP I = 4

8th from left in STEP III = 5

Sum = 4 + 5 = 9

**Answer:** 9

Answer

Answer

Answer