Problem #45 EASY
The Weight of Words
Amazon Google Pattern Recognition Logic
Problem Statement
A shipping company charges for packages by the number of letters in the destination city name — not by weight. A package to 'Delhi' costs 5 units. A package to 'Mumbai' costs 6 units. A package to 'Bangalore' costs 9 units. Using the same rule, how much does a package to 'Chennai' cost? What about 'Hyderabad'?
Answer & Quick Explanation
Think you've got it? Click below to check your answer.
Chennai costs 7 units (7 letters: C-H-E-N-N-A-I). Hyderabad costs 9 units (9 letters: H-Y-D-E-R-A-B-A-D). The rule is simply: cost = number of letters in the city name, as stated directly in the problem.
Detailed Editorial Solution
Want to see the step-by-step breakdown? Click below to reveal the editorial.
Pattern recognition problems like this reward a simple, direct inspection of the given examples before assuming any mathematical formula. Always start by checking the most obvious possible relationship.
Step 1: Given: Delhi = 5, Mumbai = 6, Bangalore = 9.
Step 2: Count letters in each: D-E-L-H-I = 5 letters. M-U-M-B-A-I = 6 letters. B-A-N-G-A-L-O-R-E = 9 letters.
Step 3: Each city's cost equals exactly the number of letters in its name. The rule is: cost = letter count.
Step 4: Apply to Chennai: C-H-E-N-N-A-I = 7 letters. Cost = 7.
Step 5: Apply to Hyderabad: H-Y-D-E-R-A-B-A-D = 9 letters. Cost = 9.
Step 6: The simplest explanation that fits all given data is always preferred (Occam's Razor). No multiplication, no vowel counting, no alphabet values — just letter count.
Key Insight:
The problem statement says the charge is 'by the number of letters in the destination city name' — this is literally stated. The puzzle tests whether solvers trust the obvious answer or over-complicate it by searching for a hidden mathematical formula. Reading carefully is the skill being tested.