How many pairs of letters are in the word ‘SHRINKING’, each of which have as many letters between them (both forward and backward direction) as they have between them according to English alphabetical order?

The correct option is Three.

To find the pairs of letters in the word SHRINKING that have as many letters between them in the word as in the English alphabetical order, let us analyze the positions of the letters in the alphabetical series.

Let us write down the alphabetical position (number) for each letter of the word SHRINKING:

• S = 19
• H = 8
• R = 18
• I = 9
• N = 14
• K = 11
• I = 9
• N = 14
• G = 7

Now, let us count and check for pairs in both forward and backward directions:

1. Forward Direction:

• Starting from H (8):
Counting forward: H(8), R(9), I(10), N(11), K(12), I(13), N(14).
Notice that H is at position 2 and the second N is at position 8. The count reaches 14 at letter N.
So, the pair H - N (H _ R _ I _ N _ K _ I _ N -> H to 2nd N) has 5 letters between them: R, I, N, K, I. In the alphabet, between H (8) and N (14), there are also 5 letters (I, J, K, L, M). Thus, (H, N) is a valid pair.

• Starting from I (first 'I', position 4, letter 9):
Counting forward: I(9), N(10), K(11).
Notice that counting from I (9): I, J(10), K(11). The letter at position 6 in the word is K (11).
Between the first I and K, there is 1 letter in the word (N), and in the alphabet, there is 1 letter (J) between I and K.
Thus, (I, K) is a valid pair.

2. Backward Direction:

• Starting from G (last letter, position 9, letter 7):
Counting backward: G(7), N(8), I(9).
Notice that counting backwards from G (7): G, H(8), I(9). The letter at position 7 (second 'I') is I (9).
Between G and the second I, there is 1 letter in the word (N), and in the alphabet, there is 1 letter (H) between G and I.
Thus, (G, I) is a valid pair.

Checking all other letter combinations in both directions yields no additional valid pairs.

Therefore, there are a total of 3 such pairs: (H, N), (I, K), and (G, I).