Select the set in which the numbers are related in the same way as are the numbers of the following set. (Operations must be on t…

Question

Select the set in which the numbers are related in the same way as are the numbers of the following set. (Operations must be on the whole numbers, without breaking the digits.)

3 — 20 — 5

4 — 17 — 3

1. A. 8 — 36 — 11
2. B. 5 — 28 — 9
3. C. 9 — 77 — 8 (Correct answer)
4. D. 11 — 28 — 5

Correct Answer

Option C — 9 — 77 — 8

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 9 — 77 — 8.

Key Points

• The pattern is: (first × third) + 5 = middle. Check: 3×5+5 = 20; 4×3+5 = 17.
• Option 3: 9 × 8 + 5 = 77, which matches.

Additional Information

• Number-set analogies are solved by testing a candidate rule against every given set, not just the first.
• Work through the operations in a fixed order — multiply, then add or subtract — since (a × c) + k fits far more SSC sets than any other single form.
• The instruction *without breaking the digits* rules out digit-sum and digit-reversal rules, which narrows the search considerably.