codes advanced level --how to solve them quickly

[anxious_mother]

Dear Friends,
DS struggling with advanced codes he takes long time to crack them
Please help with the following type of questions :
Type 3
You have been given four words and three codes. The
codes are not necessarily written in the same order as
the words and one code is missing. Once you have
figured out which word belongs to each code, answer
the questions that follow.
NOVA REAP OVEN LOAN
4853 3481 7516
7. What is the code for NEAR [ ______ ]
8. What is the code for EARNER [ ______ ]
9. What is the code for NEON [ ______ ]

[patricia]

NOVA REAP OVEN LOAN
4853 3481 7516
7. What is the code for NEAR [ ______ ]
8. What is the code for EARNER [ ______ ]
9. What is the code for NEON [ ______ ]

Cracking the code is the hardest, the questions then become easy. Always put numbers under letters, therefore only working out 3 elements instead of 4. Always build from what you know

1] Start by looking for letters in the same position for example

2 x A in 3rd does not help as 3rd numbers are 5, 8, 1
2 x N at 4th ,does not help as 4th numbers are 3, 1, 6

2] If this fails start looking for same letters in different positions

A in 3rd and 4th same numbers in 3rd and 4th = 1

Put A under all 1s, which will immediately make 3481 = NOVA

4853... 3481... 7516
.........NOVA........A


3] Always build from what you know, work logically. From the word NOVA, fill in all 3s,all 4s, all 8s

.4853..... 3481.... 7516
OV?N......NOVA........A

4] Build again, 4853 is definitely OVEN, put all 5s as E

.4853...... 3481... 7516
OVEN ......NOVA.....EA

5] Now obvious that 7516 becomes REAP

Patricia

NB the dots are present solely for illustration purposes, the forum will not allow spaces!

[stevew61]

NOVA REAP OVEN LOAN
4853 3481 7516

I've found with my three DCs that a visual method helps, write out the numbers in a grid,

4853

3481

7516

Looking down the grid you can often spot patterns, the same number in the same column, this one is harder. Other patterns include a number in multiple codes but in different positions, or double numbers = double letters, etc.

Next up look for a pair in two codes, first and last moves to another two positions, etc.

I spotted 48 at position 1st and 2nd and then 2nd and 3rd, matching to the words.

4853
OV

3481
. OV .

7516

The rest then falls into place. This looks like one of the harder (but not hardest!) type of this question, I think the amount of information can be overwhelming so writing out a grid makes a start on solving the problem and builds confidence.

[patricia]

This is a very good alternative Steve, something I use depending on the child.

I have a number of methods up my sleeve, I start with my above post, then adapt accordingly.

Patricia

[anxious_mother]

Many Thanks to all of you who have replied,it's a huge relief

[menagerie]

I did it slightly differently.

As no two final numbers were the same, that means either OVEN or LOAN is the missing code. They both end with N and Nova starts with N, so one number must end one code and begin another. So 3=N. The only word that starts with N is NOVA, so that instantly gave the codes for O, V & A.
Fill these letters in under the other codes, and the others are easily deductable.

Not sure this would work systematically each time.